In a captivating showdown at the Wankhede Stadium, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered an exceptional all-around performance shutting down the Mumbai Indians’ aspirations for a playoff spot in this year’s electrifying IPL season. On Friday, the Knight Riders not only fortified their second-place rank in the points table but sent shockwaves through their opponents with a decisive 24-run win.
The match witnessed game-changing performances from KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer and the seasoned paceman Mitchell Starc. Iyer, whose bat spoke volumes with a stellar knock of 70 runs from just 52 balls, clinched the Player of the Match title. However, the limelight was partially shared with Starc thanks to his pivotal late spell. The Australian fast bowler uprooted the stumps of Ishan Kishan early on, subsequently dismantling Mumbai’s lower order with three crucial wickets in the penultimate over, bundling Mumbai out for a mere 145.
Starc’s impressive haul of four wickets for 33 runs was a significant boost to his previously underwhelming figures in the IPL 2024. Commanding a staggering INR 24.75 crore price tag upon his arrival at Eden Gardens, Starc initially managed only two wickets in his first four outings. Yet, displaying the resilience that he’s known for, Starc bounced back handsomely with nine wickets in his subsequent five innings.
Facing the media, the 34-year-old left-arm quick reflected on the high expectations from the outset and acknowledged that he hadn’t been the sole bowler battling to stem the flow of runs in this high-octane tournament. “As T20 cricket doesn’t always go the way you want it to go, and of course, I wanted to go a bit better at the start,” he remarked post-game with humility and focus. Starc continued to emphasize the collective success of the team which stands firmly at the top of the league, hinting at the crucial matches that lie ahead and his desire to contribute significantly to KKR’s campaign.
Starc also weighed in on the new Impact Player rule, which he believes has made life even harder for bowlers. This season has been rife with sky-high scores, partly due to the strategic depth that teams can wield with their batting and bowling line-ups thanks to the rule. With 250-plus totals being notched up a record eight times, bowlers have found themselves under the scanner more often than not. Starc pointed out how deep batting line-ups can exploit this situation to their advantage, much to the bowlers’ chagrin.
Despite the hurdles, Starc’s current tally stands at 11 wickets across nine innings, although at a rather high economy rate of 11.40. Fans will eagerly await his next appearance when KKR faces the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on the 5th of May.
With the tournament steaming towards its climax, every match, victory, and individual performance goes under the microscope. KKR’s latest triumph over Mumbai not only reinforced their position as a formidable force within the league but also showcased the tenacity and prowess of seasoned campaigners like Starc – proving that form is temporary, but class remains permanent. As the playoff picture becomes clearer, teams are on the edge, knowing every game could seal their fate, and in the high stakes world of the IPL, nothing can be taken for granted.
