Australia's Mitchell Starc to miss opening stages of IPL

Bengaluru, April 1: Australia's left-arm fast bowler will miss the start of the IPL with a knee complaint. Australia's World Cup player of the tournament Mitchell Starc will miss the start of the Indian Premier League with a minor knee injury. Starc made his debut for RCB in the last season of IPL (2014). The Australian pacer had picked up 14 wickets for Royal Challengers in 2014.

Starc captured 22 wickets in the World Cup at an astonishing average of 10.18, but a left knee niggle will keep the lethal left-armer grounded for two-three weeks in Australia. The injury layoff will make the 24-year-old unavailable for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening stages of the IPL.

"Mitchell had some knee soreness during the latter stages of the World Cup," Australia's physio Alex Kountouris said, "He will have a short period off to rest and recover, before being reassessed by CA medical staff. We estimate his recovery time will be between two-three weeks."

Starc's incredible performance in Australia's World Cup triumph saw him assume the No.1 ranked One-day international bowler mantle for the first time in his career. Starc was also awarded a lucrative Cricket Australia contract yesterday and named in the Test tours to the West Indies and England for the Ashes.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will start their campaign with a game against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on 11 April 2015.

OneIndia News