NEW DELHI:
Mitchell Starc
's underwhelming performance raised eyebrows despite Kolkata Knight Riders clinching a tense 4-run win at the
Eden Gardens
in a nail-biting encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The highly anticipated return of the Australian speedster to the KKR lineup came with immense expectations, given his staggering price tag of Rs 24.75 crore. However, Starc failed to deliver, struggling against the SRH batters throughout his spell.
Despite maintaining a pace above 140kmph, Starc leaked 53 runs in his four-over spell, alarming fans and pundits alike. His economy rate of 13.20, coupled with six wide deliveries, highlighted his struggles on the field.
Tasked with leading the bowling attack while defending a formidable target of 209, Starc's performance was inconsistent.
While he started by conceding 12 runs in his first over, he failed to maintain control, conceding 10 runs in the second. Although he bounced back with an impressive 16th over, conceding only 5 runs, his costly 19th over, where he gave away 26 runs, allowed SRH to mount a significant comeback.
Starc's lackluster display has left Kolkata fans questioning his ability to justify his hefty price tag. Signed for a record-breaking amount during the
IPL 2024
auction, Starc's performance against SRH has raised doubts about his potential impact for KKR this season.
With the spotlight firmly on him, Starc will be under pressure to rediscover his form and make a meaningful contribution to Kolkata Knight Riders' campaign in the remainder of the IPL season.
(With inputs from ANI)
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