Mitchell Starc has withdrawn from the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Despite being one of the most successful white-ball bowlers in modern-era Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc opted out of the IPL auction at the last minute as he did not want to spend another 22 weeks in a bio-bubble.

The pacer was not taking the number of wickets expected from his caliber and was also leaking runs on the field. Poor performance also marked his performance in the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE, with the pacer conceding 60 runs without taking a wicket in four overs in the final

In his home series against India in 2020-21, Starc kept his cricket career going despite a below-par showing. In Australia’s 4-0 series win over England, Starc was outstanding. Starc played all the five Ashes test matches and took 19 wickets at an average of 25.37.

Mitchell Starc was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a price of Rs.5 Cr. He played two seasons with RCB and took 37 wickets from 27 matches. In 2018 Kolkata Knight Riders grabbed him for Rs 9.4 Cr but couldn’t play in the IPL due to injury. Mitchell Starc last played IPL in 2015

Earlier, Mitchell Starc has won the Allan Border medal and Australian Men’s Cricket of the year award said that he once again decided to skip the IPL keeping in mind, he can get to spend a lot of time with his wife and family.

They’ll be a time where I’d love to go back to the IPL but in terms of wanting to play as much as I can for Australia that’s a decision I’ve done for a while,” Starc said.

“I was a click of the button away from entering the auction but personally didn’t want to spend 22 more weeks in a bubble,” Starc added.

Preparations will start shortly for the T20I series against Sri Lanka in mid-February before the Pakistan tour in March.