KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir backed star pacer Mitchell Starc despite out-of-form bowling in the initial matches.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has defended Mitchell Starc’s performance in the ongoing IPL season. Starc’s statistics have not been impressive so far. In his four matches, he has only managed two wickets at an average of 77 runs per wicket and an economy rate of 11 runs per over.
However, Gambhir opined that these numbers do not tell the whole story. “It (his poor stats) doesn’t matter; T20 cricket is all about bowlers getting smashed. We’ve got three wins out of four,” added Gambhir, as quoted by the Times of India.
Gambhir further acknowledged Starc’s reputation as a dangerous bowler, “We all know how big a threat Mitchell Starc is. Four games don’t make him a bad bowler. And four good games don’t make him a brilliant bowler either. So I know what impact he can create and what impact he will create in the competition.”
Looking ahead, Gambhir expressed confidence in Starc’s ability to bounce back. “Tomorrow it might be a completely different day. Or probably going forward, it could be a completely different day. There’s no reason you should talk about individual performance. I feel that Mitchell Starc has done reasonably well. I think he’s bowled some tough overs. And he will create an impact with what he’s been picked for,” said the coach.
Moreover, Gambhir emphasised that team success is more important than individual brilliance. “In a team sport, it’s the wins that matter. We have three wins out of four. Why should I not be happy with anyone’s performance? See, people have good and bad days; ultimately, it’s the team that needs to win,” concluded the coach.
Last Updated on April 14, 2024
