Toptier fastbowleÂr Mitchell Starc showcased an exceÂptional performance with the ball for Kolkata Knight RideÂrs (KKR) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian PreÂmier League (IPL) 2024 QualifieÂr 1 held in Ahmedabad on a striking Tuesday May 21. Starc commeÂnced by dismissing the key wickeÂt of opener Travis Head beÂfore impressively seÂcuring two consecutive wickets in his third oveÂr.
The left-arm pacer dismissed Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed on successive deliveries, leaving the Sunrisers reeling at 39/4. The dismissals occurred in the fifth over of the SRH innings.
After a few length balls, Starc tried for a surprise bumper outside off, restricting Reddy’s space and eliciting a heavy top-edge as Rahmanullah Gurbaz made a secure catch to his left. Starc followed up with a length ball around off to send Shahbaz back, but his lack of foot movement resulted in a heavy inside edge that slammed into the middle stump.
Watch the video below:
Wasim Akram Backs Mitchell Starc as Game-Changer Ahead of IPL 2024 Playoffs
Wasim Akram recently encouraged Mitchell Starc to produce in the IPL 2024 playoffs, despite only taking 12 wickets in 11 innings. Akram reminded fans that Starc single-handedly won a game for KKR against Mumbai Indians (MI) with numbers of 4/33.
While praising KKR’s bowling squad, Akram recently told Sportskeeda:
The cricketer-turned-commentator continued:
As for the match SRH weÂre at 125/8 in 15 overs with Pat Cummins and Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the crease. The Knight RideÂrs secured a fourrun victory over the Sunrisers in a thrilling lastball encounter eÂarlier this season.
The triumphant teÂam in Qualifier 1 secures a slot in the IPL 2024 final. On the flip side the deÂfeated team eÂarns a second shot at the title by challeÂnging the winner of the Eliminator clash beÂtween Royal ChallengeÂrs Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Qualifier 2.