Mitchell Starc answers price-tag critics with the ball; helps Kolkata win IPL 2024 | KKR vs SRH

Kolkata Knight Riders' decision to go all in for Mitchell Starc in IPL auction raised a few eyebrows, with many experts questioning them for spending ₹24.75 crore for someone who a few believed was well past his prime.

But seeing the KKR management pleased after getting him in their squad made it evident that they wanted Starc at any cost.

Gautam Gambhir backed the Aussie pacer like his own. In the lead-up to the tournament, the KKR mentor called Starc their X-factor and said that he was 'someone who can bowl with the new ball, bowl in the death overs and more importantly, someone who can lead the attack.”

KKR also found themselves in the fans' line of fire when Starc didn't live up to his billing at the start of the IPL.

Starc looked rusty to start with and conceded 100 runs without taking any wickets from his 8 overs in the first two matches.

However, KKR CEO Venky Mysore came out in his defence and then said, "He's a superstar and he's a quality player. His presence in the lineup adds a different dynamic to the team."

Then began Starc's resurrection. The veteran pacer found form from thereon and it peaked as IPL approached the business end.

The 34-year-old picked up 17 wickets in IPL 2024 with 4/33 being his best figures against the Mumbai Indians.

Trolls ka. Taunts ka. Memes ka. Sabka badla liya re, humara Mitchell Starc🤫 pic.twitter.com/iCcq0WdcaB

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 26, 2024

They say that big players perform on big occasions and it was the Mitchell Starc show in the IPL playoffs. After picking up 3 wickets in Qualifier 1 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Starc rattled them once again in the final by clinching 2 wickets. Interestingly, he set the tone in both those games by taking a wicket in his very first over.

KKR's campaign may be remembered more for their explosive opening partnerships or their spin twins spinning their web of destruction but Starc's super show with the ball was probably the difference when it came to big games.