In the high-octane clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Mitchell Starc found himself at the center of attention for all the wrong reasons in IPL 2024. Despite setting a daunting target of 223 runs, RCB maintained their composure throughout the chase, with Starc bearing the brunt of their aggressive onslaught.
The Australian speedster endured a torrid time on the field, conceding a staggering 55 runs in his three overs, making him the most expensive bowler of the match. Mitchell Starc’s struggles reached a climax in the final over when he was taken to the cleaners by RCB’s Karn Sharma, who smashed three consecutive sixes.
However, Starc managed to regain some ground by dismissing Sharma on the penultimate ball. Despite his late redemption, the damage had been done, with RCB falling short by just one run in a nail-biting finish.
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Following the intense encounter, KKR’s Harshit Rana expressed confidence in Starc’s ability to bounce back in future matches. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rana emphasized the team’s unwavering faith in Starc’s talent and backed him to deliver match-winning performances down the line.
“It’s his own plan. Every bowler takes the field with a plan. He is a top bowler and someday, he will win us games. We are not worried about him. We have full faith in him,” Harshit Rana affirmed.
Reflecting on the pivotal moments of the match, Rana highlighted Andre Russell’s game-changing over, where he dismissed RCB’s set batsmen, Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar. According to Rana, this phase of the game, coupled with a disciplined bowling effort in the final five overs, proved instrumental in securing victory for KKR.
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With five wins and two losses, KKR currently occupies the second position on the IPL 2024 points table, while RCB languishes at the bottom with seven losses from eight games. Despite their contrasting fortunes, both teams remain optimistic about their prospects in the remainder of the tournament.
