Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has come out in strong defense of their star pacer Mitchell Starc, despite his underwhelming start to IPL 2024. Starc, acquired for a hefty INR 24.75 crore at the auction, has managed just two wickets in four matches, conceding over 150 runs.
Slow Start for Mitchell Starc at KKR
Mitchell Starc’s early struggles have sparked some criticism amongst fans and pundits. However, Gambhir believes it’s too early to hit the panic button. “Four games don’t make him a bad bowler,” he asserted at a press conference before KKR’s match against the Lucknow Super Giants.
KKR wins more important
Gautam Gambhir emphasizes that team success is paramount. “We’ve got three wins out of four,” he highlighted. “In a team sport, it’s the wins that matter.” He suggests that Starc’s individual performance shouldn’t overshadow the team’s overall positive showing.
Gautam Gambhir confidence on Mitchell Starc
Gautam Gambhir remains confident in Mitchell Starc’s abilities. “Four good games don’t make him a brilliant bowler either,” he stated. This suggests he views Starc’s performance as a temporary blip, and that the bowler has the potential to significantly contribute to the team’s success. He added, “I know what impact he can create and what impact he will create in the competition.”
Gambhir Backs Starc to Deliver
Gambhir also acknowledged that Starc has been handed some challenging bowling assignments. He expressed his belief that Starc will eventually deliver on the high expectations that come with his hefty price tag.
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KKR Soar Despite Mitchell Starc struggles
It’s worth noting that KKR haven’t been significantly impacted by Mitchell Starc’s early struggles. They currently sit comfortably in second place on the points table, having secured three wins from their four matches.
Time will tell whether Starc can live up to Gambhir’s faith and silence his critics. However, with the team performing well, Gambhir’s message seems to be one of patience and unwavering belief in his star player.
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