Mitchell Starc had the last laugh against his Australian teammates David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, taking their wickets in a dominant Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) victory over the Delhi Capitals.
Sunil Narine’s Batting Blitz
West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine stole the show for KKR, smashing a blistering 85 runs off just 39 balls. This knock, his highest T20 score, included seven boundaries and a staggering seven sixes. Narine, typically known for his bowling prowess, thrived on a good batting wicket and provided a crucial contribution with the bat.
Teenage Debutant Impresses
Opening the batting alongside Narine, 18-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi announced himself on the IPL stage with a mature 54-run knock. Their 104-run partnership laid a solid foundation for a massive total.
Russell Adds Finishing Touches
KKR continued their batting onslaught with Andre Russell’s characteristic power hitting. His rapid 41 runs off just 19 balls kept the momentum going. Rinku Singh threatened to break the IPL record with his quickfire 26 off just eight balls, but KKR ultimately fell short by a narrow margin, finishing with an impressive 272-7.
Pant, Stubbs Offer Flashes of Brilliance for Delhi
Despite a valiant 55 off 25 balls from captain Rishabh Pant and a half-century from Tristan Stubbs (54), the Delhi Capitals’ batting line-up faltered under the pressure of chasing a monumental score.
Mitchell Starc Gets His Revenge
Mitchell Starc, the most expensive buy in IPL history for KKR, finally opened his wicket tally for the season. He dismissed both Warner and Marsh, his Australian teammates, within the first five overs, adding a touch of personal satisfaction to the victory. “Nice to have them (Marsh and Warner) in the pocket,” Starc quipped after the match.
Delhi Capitals Crumble
With four wickets down early on, including both openers, the chase proved too much for Delhi Capitals. They were eventually bowled out for 166 runs, handing KKR a comprehensive 106-run victory and maintaining their unbeaten record in the IPL 2024 season.