(Credit IPL)
All attention was fixed on the Australian pacer following KKR’s staggering purchase of him for a record Rs 24.75 crores, making him the costliest player in IPL history. However, Starc struggled to make an impact with the ball during the initial stages of the tournament, drawing significant criticism from various quarters.
KKR faced their fair share of scrutiny too, as experts and fans alike questioned the wisdom of investing such a substantial sum in a single player. Despite the backlash, KKR maintained their faith in Mitchell Starc, and the bowler eventually staged a remarkable turnaround. The World Cup-winning pacer rose to the occasion when it mattered most, effectively justifying his hefty price tag.
Initially, Starc had only managed to claim seven wickets from the first nine matches, averaging 47.14 with an economy rate of 11.78. However, his fortunes changed dramatically after a stellar four-wicket haul against Mumbai Indians, a performance pivotal in KKR’s victory over the Mumbai-based team at the Wankhede Stadium, a feat they hadn’t accomplished since 2012.
The 34-year-old further showcased his prowess with the ball in the qualifier one and the final, earning Player of the Match honors in both encounters. He secured three crucial wickets in the first qualifier and followed it up with a two-wicket haul in the final as KKR convincingly defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in both games, securing their third IPL title.
“We had absolutely no doubt that Starc will become the X-factor for us in the tournament. We always knew he was the X-Factor and he will become one at the right time. I mean, what other big matches could be there in the IPL?
“It was the Qualifier 1 and the Final. That is why I say that the big players wait for such occasions, they thrive on these occasions. Money is irrelevant. What Starc brings to the team was more important,” Gambhir said in an exclusive interaction with Sportskeeda.
KKR’s support for Mitchell Starc:
Expanding on the topic, Gautam Gambhir elaborated on KKR’s unwavering support for Mitchell Starc throughout the tournament, regardless of his on-field performance. The former Indian opener remained measured in his response to critics, emphasizing that the KKR dressing room consistently provided encouragement and respect to the bowler, even during his struggles on the pitch.
“It does not matter what anyone says about Starc, it does not matter what is being said on social media. You should not feel bad about what is being said as well, because the experts judge you on the basis of your performance, that is their job. According to me, what is being said in the dressing room, and how you feel in the dressing room is important,” Gambhir said.
“It is the experts’ job, you cannot take that in a bad way, there is no need for it, honestly. If you score 0, then they will criticize you, and if you score a 100, the same people will praise you. Some people criticize less, some criticize more, and that depends on their thought process. There was not a single day in the KKR dressing room where we made Starc feel that he did not start off the tournament well,” Gambhir concluded.
Starc is set to showcase his skills in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, slated to take place from June 1 to 29 in the USA and the Caribbean.
