IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra predicts Mitchell Starc to become the most expensive buy

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra reckons that Mitchell Starc would be the most expensive buy in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Australian speedster hasn’t played in the IPL since 2015 after he made his debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2014. In 2018, he was picked to play for Dinesh Karthik’s Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

However, he missed out due to an injury. He opted out of the 2020 IPL in order to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia which had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starc recently played two ODIs, a solitary T20I, and four Tests against India. He had his fair share of injury concerns, but he has managed to weave magic for the national team across formats.

Aakash Chopra makes more predictions

On Wednesday, January 20, the eight franchises put forth their list of retained and released players. Mujeeb Ur Rahman didn’t get to play a lot of matches for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in IPL 2020 and hence was released. Chopra feels that the 19-year-old would fetch around seven to eight crores. Mujeeb recently played for the Brisbane Heat in the 2020-21 BBL.

There he picked up his maiden T20 fifer against the Hobart Hurricanes, though his team couldn’t garner a victory. Jason Roy pulled out of the last IPL after being picked by the Delhi Capitals (DC), and Chopra reckons that he might get around four to six crores. Roy is currently one of the leading run-scorers for the Perth Scorchers, led by Ashton Turner, in the 2020-21 BBL.

Chris Green, who played for KKR last season, has also been released. Green, however, has performed for the Sydney Thunder in the BBL. He has also played well for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

As per Chopra, Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Coulter-Nile are also expected to fetch decent deals. In the BBL, both are playing for Melbourne Stars. As per Chopra, New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson won’t go unnoticed either.

Mujeeb to go for 7-8 crore.
Green for 5-6 Crore
Starc to become the most expensive IPL buy ever.
Jamieson to receive solid interest. 5-7 crore
Jason Roy 4-6 crore
Maxwell and NCN will still get decent contracts.
Subject to their availability of course. #EarlyCall #IPL2021

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 20, 2021