Mitchell Starc had been hit for a six off the first ball in his final spell by Tim David when Mumbai Indians needed 32 from 12 balls at the Wankhede on Friday.
It sent hearts racing in the Kolkata Knight Riders camp since he had hardly been inspiring in IPL 2024. An economy of close to 12 runs an over with just seven wickets, having conceded over 50 thrice, that doesn’t match his reputation of being one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket.
In the stands, his wife and Australia’s women’s cricket captain Alyssa Healy, who joined him before this match, sulked as the cameras panned on her.
But Starc knows how to gather his thoughts and motivate himself. “I am 34. I have played a lot of cricket. I can pick myself up,” he said, reflecting on his self-confidence after his four for 33, including three wickets in four balls, helped KKR break a 12-year hoodoo against Mumbai Indians. “It’s T20 cricket, it’s not as demanding as Test match cricket.”
The left-arm pacer left the rival camp stung off the next delivery as David hit his slower full toss straight into Shreyas Iyer’s hands in the deep. The normally reticent Starc couldn’t hold back his emotions after picking the last wicket of Gerald Coetzee with a yorker — eyes popping, fists clenched, he let out a roar.
“That’s been the first win for the Knight Riders (at the Wankhede) since 2012. So yeah, maybe a little bit extra there,” Starc acknowledged.
The 24-run victory has brought KKR within sniffing distance of a playoffs berth and a victory against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday in Lucknow would almost confirm their position.
Starc wouldn’t let out secrets but the most expensive player’s tag (Rs 24.75 crore) had been playing at the back of his mind. “I didn’t set
my price tag,” he quipped with a smile during the
news conference.
“I am not the only bowler going for runs. It is what it is. The fact (is) we sit second (on the points table) and are playing some good cricket.”
The Knights’ team management has been supportive. But there had been talk about if he was reserving his best for the World Cup next month. “He is the most professional and would give his best for any side he plays,” former Australia captain Michael Clarke defended Starc on TV.
The way Starc adjusted to the two-paced wicket on Friday spoke volumes of his class and craft. “It’s about assessing the conditions after the first innings. The batters who came off throughout that first innings mentioned the wicket and the lengths that were the hardest to face. That created the bowling plans for us,” Starc said.
Starc has been the most professional among the KKR players with his discipline and commitment. Being the only pacer of repute in the side, he is always ready to extend that helping hand to the youngsters. “I’m certainly not there to tell people what to do, (but) happy to answer questions that they have and what not.” The successes of Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora perhaps tell a tale.
