Kolkata Knight Riders’ pace spearhead Mitchell Starc expressed his satisfaction with dismissing fellow Australian Travis Head in Qualifier 1 against SunRisers Hyderabad. Mitchell Starc remarked that he might keep that one wicket in the back pocket and felt it set the tone for the Knight Riders’ performance that night.
Mitchell Starc’s journey in IPL 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride. Initially, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ pace spearhead found himself grappling for form, raising questions about his hefty price tag and effectiveness. Early on, Starc’s biggest concern was his economy rate. He consistently leaked runs, especially during the powerplay overs where teams aim for high scores. His economy rate ballooned past 11 runs per over, the worst among KKR bowlers. Adding to the woes, wickets weren’t coming easily either. His average for wickets taken was worryingly high, exceeding 45 runs per scalp. With such underwhelming performances and a hefty price tag of ₹24.75 crore, Starc faced criticism and even the possibility of being dropped for other pace options.
The turning point came in a crucial match against the Mumbai Indians. Starc unleashed a fiery spell, picking up 4 crucial wickets for just 33 runs. This match-winning performance silenced his critics and instilled confidence in the team. Starc carried this newfound form into the playoffs. In the all-important Qualifier 1, he dismantled the strong Sunrisers Hyderabad batting line-up. His 3 wickets for just 34 runs proved instrumental in securing KKR a direct spot in the IPL final.
What Mitchell Starc Said
In the post-match interview with the host broadcaster following the first innings on Tuesday, the veteran player noted the anticipation that the openers would pose a significant threat. Consequently, the Knight Riders expressed relief at dismissing them early in the match.
Mitchell Starc said, “I might keep that one in the back pocket for when he starts to give me some niggle and I have to pull it out on him. He’s been phenomenal through the tournament. But we knew he was going to be a big wicket. Obviously Abhishek for them at the top as well. That partnership has been key for them, so to get both of them pretty cheap was great and we got set on our way today.”
Rahul Tripathi led the rescue mission for the Orange Army, emerging as the top scorer with 55 runs, supported by a crucial partnership of 62 runs with Heinrich Klaasen. As the innings progressed, Pat Cummins played a valuable cameo, contributing 30 runs from 24 deliveries to propel their side beyond the 150-run mark and assured the place in the finals.
Before the start of the second innings, Starc noted that the pitch had significantly improved for batting, though the batters needed to remain cautious of the opposition’s swing. The New South Wales cricketer, who ended with impressive figures of 3 wickets for 34 runs in his four overs, emphasised the importance of handling the swing effectively.
He further added during the post-match interview, “There is certainly dew now. It started to pick up through probably halfway through our innings. The wicket has got a bit skiddier. There is some swing. Our spinners found a way to be effective and take wickets. The wicket is going to get a little bit better just with the dew and the bit of skid but in turn, it is also going to swing a little bit.”
The Knight Riders sealed the victory emphatically, cruising to an eight-wicket win in less than 15 overs to secure their spot in the final.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Aakash Chopra Questions The Worth Of Mitchell Starc To KKR Fans