The Mumbai afternoon is blistering hot as I wait in the hotel lobby. Even with the air conditioning at full blast, the humidity seeps in every time the doors slide open. Mitchell Starc arrives precisely on time, looking remarkably fresh despite having just finished a grueling training session with his IPL franchise. The lanky Australian fast bowler—arguably still the world’s most feared when in full flight—extends a hand that engulfs mine.
“Sorry about the sweat,” he says with a sheepish grin, using his other hand to wipe his brow. “You’d think after all these years in the IPL I’d be used to Mumbai in March.”
We find a quiet corner away from the steady stream of cricket fans hoping to catch a glimpse of international stars cycling through the hotel. Starc is preparing for his fifth IPL season, having become one of the tournament’s most expensive foreign acquisitions last year when he was picked up for a staggering 24.75 crore rupees. Now 35, with his international workload carefully managed, he’s become increasingly reflective about the game that has defined his life.
Our conversation was meant to center on his IPL 2025 preparations, but it quickly evolves into something more fascinating—Starc’s candid assessment of India’s extraordinary cricket talent depth and how it continues to reshape world cricket.
“The Factory Never Stops Producing”
“What’s unique about playing in India—and especially in the IPL—is that every year there are four or five new Indian players you’ve never faced before who can immediately compete at the highest level,” Starc says, leaning forward in his chair. “That just doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world.”
Starc should know. Having played international cricket since 2010, he’s witnessed firsthand the evolution of talent production across cricketing nations. Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa all produce excellent cricketers, but none match India’s relentless conveyor belt of new stars.
“In Australia, we might see one truly exceptional new talent emerge every couple of years. Here, it’s happening every few months,” he explains. “The sheer numbers playing the game create a natural selection process that’s brutally efficient. Only the very best rise to the top.”
The statistics support Starc’s observation. India’s cricket infrastructure now includes over 37,000 registered cricket clubs and more than 70,000 matches are played annually in recognized competitions. Behind these numbers are millions of informal games played on every available space across the country—streets, beaches, parks, and school grounds.
“What’s changed in the last decade is the quality of that infrastructure,” Starc continues. “When I first came to India, you’d see incredible raw talent that needed refinement. Now you’re seeing technically complete players emerging from places that weren’t even on the cricket map fifteen years ago.”
He cites several examples of emerging players who have impressed him during training sessions and domestic matches—bowlers with unusual actions that remain biomechanically sound, batsmen combining classical technique with T20 innovation, and fielders whose athleticism matches or exceeds international standards.
“There’s a young fast bowler I faced in the nets yesterday—I won’t name him because he deserves to make his own name when he breaks through—but he’s 19, bowls consistently above 145kph, and has a natural outswinger that reminds me of a young Dale Steyn. Five years ago, India wasn’t producing that type of bowler regularly. Now, he’s not even the only one in his franchise with those attributes.”
The Competition That Elevates Everyone
The domestic structure underpinning Indian cricket has evolved significantly during Starc’s career. While the IPL remains the glittering showcase, it’s the strength of the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and various state and age-group competitions that creates the foundation for sustained success.
“What impresses me most is how competitive those domestic competitions have become,” Starc says. “You’ve got international-quality players who can’t get into their state sides. That creates an environment where everyone has to continuously improve just to maintain their position.”
This internal competition extends to the IPL itself, where the restriction on overseas players (each team can field a maximum of four foreign players in their playing eleven) means Indian players must compete for the remaining seven spots.
“The smartest franchises have realized that finding and developing Indian talent is the real key to success,” Starc explains. “Foreign players like me, we’re the complementary pieces. The core has to be strong Indian players—both established stars and emerging talents.”
This dynamic has created what Starc describes as a “performance pressure cooker” that either breaks players or forges them into world-beaters. “For an Indian player, performing consistently in the IPL often means securing your financial future. That’s pressure most cricketers from other countries never experience at the domestic level.”
He recalls a conversation with a young Indian teammate who described the mental toll of knowing that a poor season could mean the difference between life-changing wealth and returning to the relative obscurity of domestic cricket.
“That’s a unique pressure, but it also explains why the successful ones develop such mental toughness. By the time they reach international cricket, they’ve already performed under intense scrutiny.”
The Technical Evolution
Our conversation shifts to the technical aspects of Indian cricket’s development. Starc has noticed significant evolution in how Indian batsmen approach facing fast bowling, traditionally considered a vulnerability against teams like Australia and South Africa.
“There’s been this stereotype that Indian batsmen don’t like it short and fast,” Starc says, shaking his head. “Maybe that was true twenty years ago, but it’s complete nonsense now. The current generation has been raised on bouncy IPL pitches and has access to simulation technology we didn’t have when I was developing.”
He describes facing Indian batsmen in the nets who specifically request short-pitched bowling to refine their technique. “They’re not just looking to survive it anymore; they’re actively looking to score off it. That’s a major shift in mindset.”
This technical evolution extends to bowling as well. India’s pace bowling resources were once limited, but the country now produces fast bowlers who can consistently operate at speeds above 140kph while maintaining accuracy and developing variations.
“The Indian fast bowling cartel is as good as any in world cricket right now,” Starc admits. “What’s scary is that for every Bumrah or Siraj, there are three or four guys in domestic cricket who could potentially reach that level. The depth is unprecedented.”
Starc attributes this development to improved fitness standards, better understanding of fast bowling biomechanics, and crucially, the change in pitches across India.
“There’s been a conscious effort to prepare surfaces that don’t just favor spin bowling. Even traditional spinning wickets like Chennai now offer something for fast bowlers, especially with the new ball. That’s encouraged a whole generation of kids to take up fast bowling who might previously have gravitated toward spin.”
The Champion’s Trophy Lesson
Despite this depth of talent, India’s recent performance in the Champions Trophy revealed vulnerabilities that surprised many observers. After dominating the group stage, India faltered in the knockout phase, raising questions about their ability to perform under pressure in ICC tournaments.
When I raise this point, Starc becomes particularly thoughtful. “Look, tournament cricket is different from bilateral series or even something like the IPL. The margins are incredibly small, and one bad session can end your campaign.”
He believes India’s occasional struggles in ICC tournaments shouldn’t overshadow their overall dominance in world cricket. “They’re still the team everyone measures themselves against. One tournament doesn’t change that.”
What Starc finds most interesting, however, is how India responds to these setbacks. “After every tournament disappointment, they seem to come back stronger. They analyze what went wrong without panic or overreaction, make targeted changes, and improve. That’s the sign of a system with real confidence in its processes.”
This resilience, he suggests, stems from the depth of talent available. “When you know there are excellent players waiting for an opportunity, it creates healthy pressure on the incumbents while also providing real options for selectors. There’s no need to persist with something that isn’t working when you have quality alternatives.”
The Future Challenges
As our conversation draws to a close, I ask Starc about the challenges facing Indian cricket despite its impressive talent production. His response is illuminating.
“The biggest challenge might actually be managing the volume of talent,” he suggests. “How do you ensure that players with real potential get sufficient opportunities at the highest level? With only eleven spots in the national team and such competition for places, some very good players inevitably miss out.”
This creates what Starc calls a “high-class problem” but one that requires careful management nonetheless. He points to players who dominate domestic cricket for years without getting extended runs in the national team – something that would be unthinkable in countries with smaller player bases.
“The selectors have an incredibly difficult job. In Australia, the talent pool is much smaller, so the path from domestic cricket to international level is clearer. Here, you could probably field three or four different Indian elevens that would be competitive at international level.”
Another challenge is managing expectations. “The expectation in India isn’t just to win, but to dominate. That creates enormous pressure, especially on younger players breaking into the team.”
Starc has seen firsthand how this pressure affects players differently. “Some thrive on it and elevate their game. Others struggle with the scrutiny. The mental aspect becomes as important as technical skill, maybe more so.”
He believes the most successful Indian players develop the ability to insulate themselves from external noise – no small feat in a country where cricket dominates media coverage and public conversation.
“The ones who last at the top level here develop almost a psychological shield. They stay connected to their love of the game despite all the pressure and expectations. That’s something I really admire.”
Learning From Each Other
What becomes clear throughout our conversation is the mutual respect and learning that occurs between international stars like Starc and their Indian counterparts. The IPL has created an environment where knowledge is shared across traditional boundaries.
“I’ve definitely become a better bowler through my IPL experiences,” Starc acknowledges. “Sharing a dressing room with Indian players, understanding their thought processes, seeing how they approach different situations – it’s invaluable.”
This exchange goes both ways. Starc recalls conversations with young Indian fast bowlers eager to understand how he prepares physically and mentally for different conditions and batsmen.
“There’s an openness to learning that I really appreciate. No one thinks they have all the answers. We’re all just trying to get better, regardless of where we’re from or what we’ve achieved.”
This collaborative environment extends to coaching and support staff as well. The IPL’s diverse mix of international coaches, trainers, and analysts creates a melting pot of cricketing knowledge.
“You’ve got Australian strength coaches working with Indian physiotherapists and English analysts,” Starc explains. “Everyone brings different perspectives, and the smart players absorb it all.”
Looking Ahead to IPL 2025
As our time wraps up, we return to the immediate future – the upcoming IPL season. Starc is entering the tournament with tempered expectations but genuine excitement.
“At this stage of my career, I’m not taking anything for granted. Each tournament is a privilege,” he says. “What I’m most looking forward to is seeing which new Indian talents emerge this season. That’s become one of the most exciting aspects of the IPL for me.”
He believes the 2025 edition could be particularly significant as teams begin positioning themselves for the next mega auction. “There’s always an extra edge when franchises are making decisions that will shape their squads for the next cycle. It creates opportunities for players to make statements.”
When pressed for predictions about potential breakout stars, Starc is reluctant to name specific players but offers a telling observation: “Pay attention to the uncapped Indian players who get opportunities early in the tournament. The franchises have so much analytical data and scouting information now – if they’re giving a new player a chance, it usually means they’ve seen something special.”
As we part ways, Starc is mobbed by a group of young fans who’ve been patiently waiting nearby. He signs autographs and poses for photos with genuine warmth, taking time to chat with each of them. It’s a small moment that illustrates the connection between international stars and the grassroots enthusiasm that fuels Indian cricket’s remarkable talent production.
Watching him interact with these young fans—some of whom might be future IPL stars themselves—it’s easy to understand why he remains so impressed by India’s cricketing ecosystem. The passion is palpable, the infrastructure increasingly robust, and the hunger for success insatiable.
“There’s just nothing else like it in world cricket,” Starc had said earlier. Looking around at the excitement generated by a simple hotel lobby encounter, it’s hard to disagree with him.
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