(AFP Photo)
Gautam Gambhir, mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), lauded the stellar performance of left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc during the playoffs of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Nonetheless, Gambhir expressed that Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal by Starc in the final match wasn’t an unplayable delivery.
In the championship match held on Sunday, May 26, in Chennai, the Knight Riders emerged victorious against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role in securing KKR’s third IPL title. He was awarded the “Player of the Match” for his figures of 2/14 in the summit clash of the recently concluded season.
The 34-year-old also clinched the “Player of the Match” title in Qualifier 1 against SunRisers Hyderabad, where he claimed three wickets for 34 runs. Starc’s adeptness in providing crucial breakthroughs with the new ball in both playoff encounters was evident. His achievement of winning the Player of the Match accolade twice in the playoffs within a single season is a notable feat in IPL history.
Gautam Gambhir said Mitchell Starc Will Become The X-Factor.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Gautam Gambhir emphasized the Kolkata Knight Riders’ confidence in Mitchell Starc’s capacity to thrive in pivotal junctures. Gambhir underscored that Starc was consistently regarded as the team’s X-factor, emphasizing the immeasurable value of his contributions to the franchise.
“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 told Sportskeeda.
KKR secured Mitchell Starc’s services in the previous year’s auction for an unprecedented bid of INR 24.75 crore. Initially, Starc drew criticism after conceding 100 runs in his first two matches without securing any wickets. However, he silenced doubters by concluding the premier T20 tournament with a tally of 17 wickets, maintaining an average of 26.12 and an economy rate of 10.61.
Gautam Gambhir says No Delivery Is Unplayable.
Mitchell Starc kickstarted Sunrisers Hyderabad’s downfall in the IPL 2024 final with a perfectly executed away-swinger in the fifth ball of the first over. This crucial breakthrough set the momentum for Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Pat Cummins, as they skittled out SRH for a mere 113 runs. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden hailed Starc’s delivery as the standout moment of the IPL, dubbing it the ‘ball of the tournament.’
Gautam Gambhir stressed that while technically no delivery is impossible to play, Starc’s delivery in the final came incredibly close to being so. He underscored the caliber of elite players like Starc, noting their ability to step up when their team requires them the most.
“You expect a bowler of this quality to bowl this kind of a delivery. When you bring these kinds of players, they step up when you need them the most. KKR needed Mitchell Starc in the Qualifier 1 and the Final, and he put his hand up and he delivered.”
“I don’t know whether I should say that was an unplayable delivery or not, because we were taught that no delivery is unplayable, but it was certainly very close to unplayable,” Gambhir added.