Sunil Gavaskar slams KKR’s “over the top” spending on Mitchell Starc

The 24.75 crore bomb that Kolkata Knight Riders dropped on Mitchell Starc in the IPL auction back in December, sparked fiery debate. Was it outrageous spending or calculated investment? Both sides have ammunition.

Proponents argue Starc’s a proven world-class pacer, bringing experience and wicket-taking prowess rarely seen. His impact could single-handedly tilt matches, justifying the hefty price tag. Moreover, it’s a high-stakes tournament, and big risks often lead to big rewards. Opponents counter that the sum is astronomical and that it sets a dangerous precedent, inflating player salaries and potentially creating an unsustainable financial bubble. They argue focusing solely on star power neglects squad balance and the development of young talent.

“Over the top, to be absolutely frank”

Ultimately, the answer lies in Starc‘s performance. If he spearheads KKR to victory, the investment might be deemed shrewd. But if his impact falls short, it could fuel arguments for stricter financial regulations in the future.

Legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar, whilst speaking to Star Sports, was quite straightforward in stating that the amount was ‘over the top’. he went on to say that no one is worth such a huge sum of money and that Starc must now justify the price tag by putting up a few match-winning performances. “Over the top, to be absolutely frank. I don’t think anybody is worth that kind of money. If Starc can make an impact and win maybe four out of the 14 matches that he plays, then you can say money’s worth. Then if he makes contributions in the other games, absolutely fantastic,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar added that even when he does well, he must ensure that those showings come against high-quality teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians or Royal Challengers Bangalore. “He has got to bowl match-winning spells in at least four out of the 14 matches, and maybe the crucial matches against the Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings and RCB, because these three have top-class batting lineups. Bowl those teams out and you could even then say- money’s worth,” he stated.