(AFP Photo)

In the IPL 2024 Final Showdown between KKR and SRH, Mitchell Starc demonstrated his prowess on the grand stage once more. The high-value acquisition swiftly claimed 2 wickets during his initial spell in the crucial final match against SunRisers in Chennai on Sunday.

Ravi Shastri, ex-India head coach, lauded Mitchell Starc’s knack for thriving under pressure, highlighting his standout displays in the crucial IPL 2024 knockout fixtures. Shastri dubbed Starc’s performance in the final match as a resounding response to skeptics who doubted his value at the season’s onset. Starc made a significant impact by dismantling the top order of SunRisers in the IPL final clash on Sunday in Chennai, claiming the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi.

SunRisers faced a daunting setback at the conclusion of the powerplay, enduring the loss of three crucial wickets within the initial six overs. Mitchell Starc spearheaded the onslaught, claiming the pivotal wicket of the in-form Abhishek Sharma in the opening over of the match. With a masterful outswinger that pitched on the middle-stump line and kissed the top of off-stump, Starc left Abhishek bewildered. Continuing his dominance, Starc dismissed Rahul Tripathi in his subsequent over, as the seasoned SRH batsman faltered with a mistimed flick shot.

“Nice slap to all those critics. Just the way he has stepped up n the semis and finals,” Ravi Shastri said during commentary in the big IPL final.

Considered the standout delivery of the IPL 2024 tournament, Mitchell Starc’s delivery to dismiss Abhishek Sharma has garnered widespread acclaim. The left-handed Abhishek found himself utterly powerless against the delivery’s precision and movement. Adding to SunRisers’ woes, Vidarbha pacer Vaibhav Arora dealt a significant blow by dismissing Travis Head for a duck off the very first delivery. Arora’s well-pitched delivery induced an outside edge, expertly caught by wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, further unsettling the SunRisers’ batting lineup.

Starc’s Dominance in Crucial Matches

Questions arose when Mitchell Starc was acquired by KKR for a hefty sum of Rs 24.75 crore during the auction, particularly given his eight-year hiatus from the IPL.

During the initial phase of the tournament, Starc faced considerable scrutiny and struggled with his form, often conceding runs at nearly ten per over in many matches. However, the narrative shifted dramatically when he clinched four crucial wickets for KKR against MI at the Wankhede Stadium during the latter half of IPL 2024.

Starc demonstrated his mettle when it mattered most, showcasing an impressive performance by dismantling the SunRisers with figures of 3 for 34 in four overs during Qualifier 1 in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Notably, he claimed the pivotal wicket of Travis Head for a duck and earned the Player of the Match accolade for his contribution, propelling KKR into the final.

In the highly anticipated title match, Starc made an impactful start by snatching two wickets in his initial spell of three overs, conceding a mere 14 runs. His stellar performance played a pivotal role in KKR’s commanding start in Chennai.