'He does all the magic in the air' - Sanjay Manjrekar backs MI and RCB to fight for Mitchell Starc at IPL 2024 Auction

The much-anticipated mini-auction of IPL 2024 is just around the corner and is set to take place on December 19 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Before the auction, former cricketer, and renowned analyst, Sanjay Manjrekar shared his insights on a potential game-changer in the upcoming event: the Australian speedster Mitchell Starc. He discussed how MI and RCB could compete for Starc, highlighting his unique talent for swinging the ball in the air and delivering pinpoint yorkers, making him a formidable force.

“Teams that have to play half their home games on absolutely flat pitches may go for him. He is one bowler in the world who will maybe take the pitch out of the equation, do all the magic in the air, get swing and the hurl in yorkers with the new ball and at the death. So, teams like Mumbai Indians, who have got (Jason) Behrendorff along with Jasprit Bumrah, could show interest in him after letting go Jofra Archer,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

Talking about RCB, he said, "RCB has got Reece Topley, who is a pretty good bowler, but on flat pitches where most bowlers struggle, Starc and Bumrah are the kind of bowlers who will bring the team back into the game with their bowling because they don’t rely on the pitch as much as some of the other bowlers."

Starc, no stranger to the IPL, has entered the auction fray with a base price of INR two crore. The left-arm pacer, previously donning RCB colours in 2014 and 2015, boasts an impressive record of 34 wickets from 27 matches.

As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the IPL auction, Starc's return to the league could add an extra layer of excitement and strategy to the bidding wars.

Mallika Sagar will make her IPL auction debut in Dubai

In another development, it's been confirmed that Mallika Sagar is set to make her debut as an auctioneer in the upcoming IPL auction in Dubai on December 19. The BCCI has announced a change in the auctioneer, and Ms Sagar, an independent professional, will be the sole decision-maker for all aspects of the auction.

"An independent professional auctioneer, Ms. Mallika Sagar, will conduct the auction and she will be the sole arbiter as to all aspects of the auction," the BCCI informed franchises as quoted by Cricbuzz.