Mitchell Starc overcame early criticism with a dominant bowling performance in the final, leading KKR to their first IPL title in ten years.
Kolkata Knight Riders emerged dominantly victorious in the IPL 2024 final, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role in the win, delivering a dominant bowling performance.
Starc struck early, picking up two crucial wickets in the powerplay and putting KKR on the front foot from the very beginning. This dominance continued throughout the match, as SRH struggled to find momentum under relentless pressure from KKR.
In the post-match presentation, Starc expressed his delight at KKR’s triumph. “It’s a great night for KKR. What a game, what a season! It was a fantastic final between two exciting teams. We have a well-balanced squad with strong batting and bowling units, and the coaching staff has done a tremendous job of getting everyone in peak form. We’ve been consistent throughout, with everyone contributing,” quipped Starc.
ALSO READ | WATCH | Mitchell Starc Strikes Early: Abhishek Sharma Bowled Out in KKR vs SRH IPL 2024 Final
Starc acknowledged some initial concerns about the pitch. “We lost the toss and chose to bowl first. Looking at the previous match here, we weren’t sure how the wicket would play. It was about adapting quickly. Shreyas Iyer captained brilliantly, using the bowlers and fielders effectively. Credit to him, the bowling unit executed their plans perfectly,” said Starc.
The Australian international also addressed the criticism he faced early in the tournament regarding his hefty price tag, not justifying his initial performances. “There’s been jokes about the money. It’s been a long time since I played in the IPL. But I have experience, and that helped me deal with the expectations. I’m glad I’m older and more experienced now. It’s been a lot of fun. Full credit to the entire team and staff,” concluded the KKR star.
Last Updated on May 27, 2024
