Starc fit and ready for T20 World Cup after heatwave-hit IPL
Mitchell Starc dismissed fears the intense Indian heat might have drained him during his IPL-winning exploits, with the Australian declaring Monday he was fit and ready for the T20 World Cup.
The 34-year-old left-arm pace spearhead lived up to his record $2.98 million price tag with an opening burst of 2-14 to set up a third title triumph for the Kolkata Knight Riders against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
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At the end of the two-month tournament, largely played in relentless heatwave conditions, player-of-the-match Starc helped dismiss Hyderabad for 113 as Kolkata cruised to their target with 9.3 overs to spare in Chennai.
"My body is fine," Starc, who took 17 wickets in 13 matches, told reporters in a post-midnight news conference at the end of extended Kolkata team celebrations.
"I've played enough cricket to manage that sort of thing. T20 is not as demanding as Test cricket. It's been warm, it's been humid, so that plays a part, but that's fine," he said.
The T20 World Cup begins in the United States and the West Indies on Saturday, June 1, with Australia's first match against Oman on June 6.
"It will be cooler in the West Indies than it has been over here," said Starc, who was also player of the match against the same opponents Hyderabad in the 44 Celsius heat of Ahmedabad last week.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed this season, it's been great," he said.
"It leads into a World Cup, so that's the other side of the benefit of being here, against some amazing players in an amazing tournament.
"I look forward to being back next year."
