Mitchell Starc insists he has NO regrets over turning down IPL riches after landing biggest deal in T20 competition’s history

Mitchell Starc has no regrets about prioritizing international cricket and family life over the vast fortunes of the Indian Premier League, a week after becoming the Twenty20 juggernaut's highest-paid player.

The 33-year-old quick will return to the IPL next year for the first time since 2015 as Australia prepares for the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean in June.

Starc broke the record for the most expensive player at the IPL auction when he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping $4.42 million.

The huge payday broke the record set by Australian captain and fellow quick Pat Cummins just an hour earlier when he was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Starc always knew he was giving up millions of dollars by opting out of the IPL, but the recent windfall exposed the money he could have made over the past decade.

The 33-year-old has been signed by Kolkata for a record fee of $4.42 million

“It's hard enough juggling one cricket schedule, let alone two of them in a relationship,” says the left-hander, who is married to international women's star Alyssa Healy.

“So I've always spent that time away from cricket with Alyssa or time with family and recharging my body to be as fit and ready as possible for Australian cricket.

'I do not regret it.

“I think it has definitely helped my Test cricket.

“The money is always nice and that was certainly the case this year, but I have always prioritized international cricket and I think that has helped my game.”

Starc's commitment to Australia has helped him stay on the park and build his pace partnership with Cummins and Josh Hazlewood into one of the best Test cricketers.

The trio, along with star spinner Nathan Lyon, tore through Pakistan in the first Test in Perth as Australia won by 360 runs.

All three quicks are healthy and in form, meaning MCG hero Scott Boland will miss another Boxing Day Test appearance.

Boland has not played since the third Test of the Ashes in July, and the selectors will resist the temptation to include the Victorian this year.

Australia have fast bowling depth, but those on the fringes will have to continue to bide their time.

He has previously prioritized his family rather than pursuing lucrative contracts

“We look back at the Ashes and having six Tests in eight weeks was something that doesn't always happen,” Starc said.

“But the way we all feel at the moment we're ready to go.

'There were a few issues after the Ashes that we didn't know about until we got home and which we managed quite well during the World Cup.'

Starc will play his 84th Test on Boxing Day after taking 338 wickets at an average of 27.49.

Australia have won 15 Tests in a row at home against Pakistan, with their last defeat coming against the tourists at the SCG in 1995.