Starc bound for IPL after knee niggle

Australia’s World Cup player of the tournament Mitchell Starc has recovered from a minor knee injury and is headed to India to join Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Indian Premier League campaign.

Quick single: Starc grounded by knee niggle

The lethal left-armer missed the start of the IPL tournament due to a minor left knee niggle, but the 25-year-old has confirmed he will fly to India on Monday.

Starc, who captured 22 wickets in the World Cup at an astonishing average of 10.18, was given a short period off to rest and recover following the tournament final.

"Mitchell had some knee soreness during the latter stages of the World Cup," Bupa Support Staff physio Alex Kountouris said at the time.

Image Id: ~/media/93DF46CC09734EA6992A25FC4055E721Mitchell Starc dominated during the World Cup // Getty Images

Sold to RCB for AU$889,000 last year, Starc will join international superstars Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli at Bangalore and will be a welcome addition to the side, which has one win from two matches to date.

The Royal Challengers play Mumbai Indians tonight and ahead of the match, Starc’s teammate Darren Sammy said the paceman’s return would be a massive moral booster for the team.

“He is in good form which always is a plus point," Sammy said.

“He has had a good year, especially in white ball cricket.

“So, to have him here to lead the attack would be massive.”

Starc’s performances in Australia’s successful World Cup campaign saw him claim the No.1 ranked ODI bowler mantle for the first time.

Starc will play in the IPL before joining Australia’s Test tours to the West Indies and the United Kingdom for the Ashes.

The final of the IPL will be held on May 24, before Australia’s first Test against the West Indies on June 3 in Dominica.