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Xtra Time Web Desk: It seems Mitchell Starc is gearing up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Starc has been diligently working on his skills, particularly focusing on his bowling variations such as yorkers and change of pace to counter the opposition's batters, especially ahead of their match against Pat Cummins' Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 23.

In addition to his bowling preparations, Starc has been honing his batting abilities in the nets, aiming to improve his six-hitting prowess, which adds another dimension to his contribution to the team.

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“Just working on the new ball, old ball, getting ready for the weekend’s game, getting all my school work done. Trying to execute a few plans at the start of the innings, with the new ball, bit of death bowling in the end, few Yorkers, few variations,” Starc told KKR.

His return to the KKR squad has generated excitement among his teammates, notably Nitish Rana, who emphasized Starc's significance as a death bowler, a role that was perceived as missing in the team's lineup last season.

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“Nice to bowl to a few of the guys, and it’s time for the bat, so trying to get the bat on a few and try and see if I can clear the boundary sometimes. If I need to in the game, then hopefully I can do that too,” he said.

Following the departure of players like Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson, Starc was identified as a crucial replacement by KKR management, investing INR 24.75 crore in acquiring him during the previous year's auction.

Starc's return brings a sense of completeness to the KKR squad, with his bowling prowess and potential contributions with the bat expected to bolster the team's performance in the upcoming IPL season.