KOLKATA: Australian pace ace Mitchell Starc opted Sunday as his night out at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. Under fire for a slow start in the Indian Premier League, Starc justified his inclusion in the KKR squad as well a record price for his selection by guiding the Kolkata team to their third title.
It was an effortless eight-wicket win for Kolkata against Hyderabad in the final. But as the saying goes, all’s well that ends well.
Particularly for Starc, the Australian all-formats hero, who underlined his worth in the competition. Oh yes, he was named Player of the Match after taking 2-14 against Hyderabad. What a way to finish!
The Aussie, who became the costliest cricketer in the history of IPL, was under the scanner as the tournament progressed. But he relied on his guts and potential when it needed — just check the delivery that bowled Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma. Undoubtedly, the best delivery of the tournament.
In the semifinal, Starc took three wickets and bowled Australia team-mate Travis Head with the second ball.
Starc started the tournament as one of its least economical bowlers so much so that the world media started questioning his $2.98 million price tag with his paucity of wickets. It also led to a few light-hearted barbs from his Kolkata team-mates.
But none would be cracking a joke on him now. Even the left-armer also feels so.
“There have been plenty of jokes. A lot has been made of the money,” Starc said after the match.
Now that the IPL season is over, Starc would be looking forward to the ICC T20 World Cup that begins from June 2 in the West Indies and USA.
Australia are in Group B along with defending champions, England. Namibia, Oman and Scotland are the other teams.
The 2021 champions will take on Oman in their preliminary group match on June 6 at Barbados.
The 34-year-old took three wickets in the final of last year’s 50-over World Cup against hosts India and will likely be important for his country, who are hoping to become the first nation to hold three global trophies in Tests, ODIs and T20.
