IPL 2022: Mitchell Starc reveals he pulled out of auction at the last minute - Was a click of a button away

IPL 2022 Auction: Mitchell Starc, who last played in the IPL in 2015, said he decided not to enter the auction to spend more time with his family amid another busy cricket season.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc said he was a button's click away from entering the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction but he decided not to do so in a bid to spend more time with his family and avoid another length stay in bio-bubbles.

Mitchell Starc, who won the Australian Men's Cricket of the Year Award earlier this month, said the decision to skip IPL once again was taken, keeping in mind the opportunity to spend time with his wife and Australia cricketer Alyssa Healy and his family.

Mitchell Starc, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to the IPL at some point in the future but the star pacer will not be part of the 2022 edition.

Starc last played in the IPL in 2015. Despite being one of the most successful white-ball bowlers in the modern-era, Starc has played only 2 seasons in the IPL. He represented Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015 and shone with 34 wickets at an average of 7.16 and an impressive strike rate of 17.

Starc, who shone for Australia in their 4-0 win over England in the Ashes Test series, said he is looking forward to another busy season of white-ball cricket with their tours to Sri Lanka and Pakistan coming up.

"I was a click of the button away from entering the auction but personally didn't want to spend 22 more weeks in a bubble," Starc said.

"There will be a time where I'd love to go back to the IPL but in terms of wanting to play as much as I can for Australia, that's a decision I've done for a while. It gives me an opportunity to spend time with Alyssa and family in those eight weeks outside of a cricket bubble," he added.