Mitchell Starc in action for KKR in IPL 2024© AFP
It has been a tough start to the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season for Mitchell Starc after the Australian cricket team fast bowler was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a record Rs 24.75 crore in the auction. Starc has not taken a single wicket in the two matches and against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, he ended up conceding 47 runs in 4 overs. Former Indian cricket team fast bowler Irfan Pathan believes Starc is the most dangerous bowler when the ball swings, but due to the pitches or playing conditions, he has not been effective in this year’s competition so far.
“Starc is at his best when he swings the ball in. When that looping swing starts to the right hand, it can be deadly. And I haven’t seen that in the last two games. The head could just be left down.” a bit more on the ball, or it could just be the pitches, or it could just be getting used to the Indian conditions. Once he starts getting that inswing, he will be a bowler to watch out for in the IPL,” Pathan further said. Star Sport.
Australian cricketer Steve Smith also spoke on the topic and he had some big advice for his teammate.
“I think today he wanted to wiggle the ball over the right-handed batter, which is a good option, but I feel like he needs to swing the ball back down the line. He is a left-handed fast bowler who can bowl at 145+ KMPH. There’s nothing like a ball swinging back to a right-handed batsman. It is one of the most difficult balls to play against. So I would like to see that first and use that as a variation to get rid of it,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, a brutal fifty from Venkatesh Iyer acted as a catalyst for Kolkata Knight Riders’ smooth seven-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Venkatesh’s 50 off 30 balls (3×4, 4×6) and stunning blitzes from openers Sunil Narine (47, 22b, 2×4, 5×6) and Phil Salt (30, 20b, 2×4, 2×6) propelled the Knight Riders past the 183-run target set by the RCB set up a set for them, built around Virat Kohli’s skillful unbeaten 83.
(With PTI inputs)
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