In a dominant display of bowling, Mitchell Starc led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) demolition of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Starc’s early strikes set the tone as KKR bowled out SRH for a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final, en route to an 8-wicket victory and their third IPL title.
Starc, who had faced criticism earlier in the season for his expensive outings, delivered a match-winning performance when it mattered most. He struck in the very first over, clean-bowling the dangerous Abhishek Sharma with a brilliant delivery that swung away late. In his next over, Starc induced an enge from Travis Head, who was dismissed for a golden duck, leaving SRH reeling at 6/2.
The 34-year-old Australian pacer continued to trouble the SRH batters with his pace and swing. He dismissed Rahul Tripathi in the fifth over, leaving the Sunrisers at 21/3. Starc finished with impressive figures of 2/14 from his four overs, setting the tone for KKR’s clinical bowling display.
Starc’s performance justified his hefty price tag of 24.75 crores, the highest ever for a player in the IPL auction. The Knight Riders management, led by CEO Venky Mysore and mentor Gautam Gambhir, backed Starc despite his initial struggles, knowing his ability to deliver in big matches.
Starc’s experience and skill proved invaluable in the final, as he consistently troubled the SRH batters with his pace and movement. His early strikes put KKR in control of the match, and the rest of the bowlers, including Andre Russell (3/19) and Harshit Rana (2/24), built on the momentum.
The victory was a testament to KKR’s team-oriented approach throughout the season. The return of Gambhir as mentor proved to be a masterstroke, as his experience and guidance helped the team maintain consistency and balance. The promotion of Sunil Narine as an opener was another key decision that paid dividends, creating a formidable batting unit.
As KKR celebrated their third IPL title, Mitchell Starc’s performances stood out as a defining moment. His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and his impact in the final underscored his value as a big-match player. Starc’s heroics with the ball will be etched in the memories of KKR fans as they savor their team’s triumph in IPL 2024.
