Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) gamble on Mitchell Starc paid off in spectacular fashion during their Qualifier 1 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The Australian left-arm pacer spearheaded a dominant bowling performance, dismantling the SRH top order and propelling KKR to their fourth IPL final.
Starc, who had endured a challenging season with the ball so far, turned the tide in Ahmedabad. Utilizing the spicy wicket to his advantage, he swung the new ball with lethal pace. This proved too much for SRH opener Travis Head, who was dismissed for a silver duck on the second ball of the innings.
Mitchell Starc’s blazing spell vs SRH
The lanky pacer continued his rampage in his third over, picking up two crucial wickets in consecutive deliveries. Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed became his victims, leaving SRH reeling at 5/53. Starc returned for his final spell later in the innings, finishing with figures of 3/34, his economical bowling restricting the SRH total to a paltry 159.
Starc’s fiery performance sparked a memefest on social media. Fans, who had earlier questioned his hefty price tag of INR 24.75 crore, lauded his timing, highlighting how he found his peak form just when it mattered most. While his early season struggles had raised concerns, Starc’s match-winning spell has silenced critics and validated KKR’s faith in him. If the Australian continues to deliver such impactful performances, his hefty price tag might just be a valid price to pay for KKR’s championship aspirations.
