The most expensive IPL player ever bought at a staggering INR 24.75 crore, Mitchell Starc, has found himself under scrutiny after a string of underwhelming performances for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The left-arm quick, returning to the IPL after an eight-year absence, has struggled to justify his hefty price tag so far in the IPL 2024. Starc's current bowling figures paint a concerning picture as he has so far picked just five wickets in six matches at an economy rate that has seen him leak runs. In the IPL 2024's clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 16, Starc once again proved expensive, conceding 50 runs without taking a wicket. The 18 runs he conceded in the 18th over proved pivotal, as the Royals successfully chased down a mammoth target of 224 runs.
Ian Bishop cracks whip at Mitchell Starc
Cricket legend and renown commentator Ian Bishop echoed the concerns of many fans, suggesting Starc's performance has fallen short of expectations. He feels Starc hasn't lived up to not only his hefty price tag but also his reputation as one of the best fast bowlers in modern cricket.
"I would assume that Mitchell Starc, especially at that price, hasn't really hit the nail on its head. He got three wickets last game but tonight again he would have been hoping to step up. There was this one over, where he was going wide, wide, wide. When you need sixes, I think it's a good plan. Then you talk about backing yourself - of course there was that five wides, and the short ball which he got hooked for when there was nobody at square. Instead of sticking with the wides, he moved back. So yeah, like I said… it's the little things," Bishop said on ESPNCricinfo.
Starc's woes continue, questions arise for KKR
Mitchell Starc's struggles for the Kolkata Knight Riders continued last night, raising significant concerns for the team's playoff aspirations. Just like his previous outings, Starc's performance against Rajasthan Royals offered little solace. He was expensive again, conceding 50 runs without picking up a wicket, contributing to the Royals' successful chase of a massive 224-run target. This isn't an isolated incident. Starc has been far from his usual dominance throughout the season. He leaked runs in previous matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (53 runs) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (47 runs), failing to take any wickets in either game. His only saving grace so far was a decent showing against Lucknow Super Giants, where he managed 3 wickets for 28 runs.
The bigger worry is his lack of wicket-taking prowess. In six matches, Starc has only managed five wickets, a far cry from his reputation as an aggressive fast bowler known for attacking the stumps. Even former KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir, who initially backed Starc, might be re-evaluating his stance on the struggling pacer. Starc's approach has also been questioned. Known for his fiery yorkers, he has surprisingly resorted to bowling wider yorkers in an attempt to contain the flow of runs. This cautious tactic is a stark contrast to the aggressive Starc fans are accustomed to seeing. Former New Zealand bowler Mitchell McClenaghan offered some perspective, acknowledging Starc's talent but highlighting the harsh realities of the IPL's competitive environment. Even the best bowlers can struggle to adapt to the league's unique demands.
"Two overs in a row, we are talking about the first ball. He has tried to bowl the slower ball, and I think he is trying to bowl a wide slower ball. When you are bowling on these pitches, that first ball goes out of the park. And that is a good momentum-starter for the bowler. And it not only creates chaos in your mind, but in the captain's mind too. He is also changing because the game is evolving. IPL is a different beast as compared to international. The grounds are so much smaller. Even mishits go for six. I think he is learning to bowl a lot more defensively on Indian grounds," McClenaghan stated.
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