KKR’s IPL Triumph Fueled by Veteran Pacer Mitchell Starc’s Heroics
On May 28, 2024, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in the thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final. Veteran Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was KKR’s most expensive buy at the IPL 2024 auction, played a crucial role in the team’s triumph.
While many experts hailed Starc’s delivery to dismiss SRH opener Abhishek Sharma as the “ball of the tournament,” KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir is not entirely convinced that it was an unplayable delivery. Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach, believes that there is no such thing as an unplayable delivery in club cricket, 100-ball cricket live, backyard cricket, or beach cricket.
“We always knew he was the X-Factor and he will become one at the right time. I mean, what other big matches could be there in the IPL? It was the Qualifier 1 and the Final. That is why I say that the big players wait for such occasions, they thrive on these occasions. Money is irrelevant. What Starc brings to the team was more important,” Gambhir said.
Starc’s opening spell in the final, particularly his away-swinger to dismiss Abhishek Sharma, set the tone for KKR’s dominant performance. The veteran pacer bowled three overs and picked up two wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award.
While legendary Australian opener Matthew Hayden termed Starc’s delivery as the ‘ball of the IPL,’ Gambhir maintained a slightly different perspective.
“You expect a bowler of this quality to bowl this kind of a delivery. When you bring these kinds of players, they step up when you need them the most. KKR needed Mitchell Starc in the Qualifier 1 and the Final, and he put his hand up and he delivered. I don’t know whether I should say that was an unplayable delivery or not, because we were taught that no delivery is unplayable, but it was certainly very close to unplayable,” Gambhir added.
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