Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), after enduring 10 years without the Indian Premier League (IPL) throne, have never been hungrier to return to that perch. Their triumphs in 2012 and 2014 are light years away now, two seasons past they finished seventh; following last year’s runner-up finish under former England captain Eoin Morgan they are more resolved than ever to break free. To that end, they went all out in the auction and brought in 10 new additions for an eye-watering Rs 31.35 crore. KKR bolstered their ranks with four overseas and six Indian talents.
The standout of those was the record-breaking acquisition of Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc. They shredded IPL auction archives with this buy, for whom they forked out a mind-boggling Rs 24.75 crore (almost double their original bench strength purse). The left-arm quick, a two-time ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup winner with Australia, will lead the pack in a Shreyas Iyer-lead KKR pace attack.
You can just imagine the panic attacks that opposition batters will be having up till the KKR campaign begins in 2024 as Starc joins the ranks of Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee, and the returning Lockie Ferguson. His arrival will add another dimension to the KKR attack that distinguishes pace, swing, and accuracy and will most definitely leave opposition batting units in search of cover. While Starc’s acquisition has generated plenty of excitement, the other buys that the Knight Riders made ensures that their squad is now strengthened across the board and they are confident of mounting a comprehensive tilt at the title in 2024.
With the 2024 IPL season rekindled, the return of the Knight Riders to the promises to be much-anticipated, KKR’s buyers have reinvigorated this KKR’s core of two-time IPL champions and they are ready to pen the next chapter in their illustrious IPL history.
Best Bowling Figures of Mitchell Starc –
Mitchell Starc – a name that embodies searing pace and unerring accuracy – once again took center stage during the IPL auctions.
In what was a record-breaking bid, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured the services of the left-arm pacer who last featured in the IPL in 2015, for a massive Rs 24.75 crore.
The bid not only showcased his enduring appeal but also underlined KKR’s intent to seriously bolster their pace attack.Starc’s return to the IPL after a few years of absence is no ordinary event. The Australian speedster has an illustrious career, one that boasts of several accolades and decorated achievements in international cricket. He has two ODI World Cups to his name while also famously leading Australia to a famous World T20 win.
Now these experiences and powers will be plying back their trade in the T20 extravaganza when Starc comes back, and having already been in the league setup will only aid him in having a successful stint this time around as well.Starc’s addition is quite pivotal for KKR. Operating with his breakneck pace and his ability to extract bounce from the most lifeless surfaces to the next, the left-arm speedster is set to take up reign as the chief of the Shreyas Iyer-led team’s pace battalion.
The sight of Starc steaming in to bowl is nothing short of fear-instilling – a feeling that will now be etched in the hearts of all opposition batters through the season for KKR.
Digging into his IPL record reveals that despite a considerably minuscule timeframe, it’s still been an impressive venture. Making his debut in 2014 where he immediately resonated his franchise for a force to reckon with, the left-arm quick made little error in transmitting the same in his performances. His debut season saw him click off 14 wickets in as many matches at an average of 27.21.
The following year was a much, much better one for him where he gobbled as many as 20 at just 14.75, finishing as the second highest-wicket taker that year as well. The highlight of the campaign was his devastating spell of 4/15 – India leg – against Rajasthan Royals.
The same also includes an economy rate of 7.17 that leads over his overall record – a factor that confirms his knowledge for constricting the flow of runs and keeping the opposition on a leash in order to continually trickle down wickets.Starc will once again don the purple and gold of KKR and the fervor in the fans is quite palpable.
The league has been dealt a major high with Starc coming back and the excitement amongst the fans has skyrocketed. The left-armer’s return has only drummed up the pulsating noise around the T20 league and the sound of Starc steaming around the wicket with his trademark thunderbolt is one that no spectator can wait to hear.
