Mitchell Starc receives backing from legends over horrendous start to IPL 2024

IPL’s most expensive buy, Mitchell Starc, brought by KKR for INR 24.65 crore, has leaked 100 runs in two matches without picking a wicket thus far this season, and Kolkata Knight Riders fans are not happy with his performance. Besides, social media trolling is adding fuel to the fire. 

Irfan Pathan and Steve Smith have come to his defence, saying Starc is yet to find his touch, and once he does that, he will be unbeatable on his day.

Moreover, trolling his numbers (which reads 100 off eight overs) on social media website X, Iceland Cricket wrote, “More expensive than a beer in Iceland.” 

Meanwhile, speaking on Star Sports, Irfan said Starc is at its best when he swings the new ball into a right-hander, which is missing in his spell in two contested games.

Pointing out the reasons behind this, Pathan said on Star Sports, "Starc is at his best when he is swinging the ball in. When that looping swing starts to the right-hand batter, it can be lethal. And I haven’t seen that in the last two games. The head could just be staying on the ball a bit more, or it could just be the pitches, or it could just be getting used to Indian conditions. Once he starts getting that in swing, he will be a bowler to watch out for throughout the IPL."

Starc’s Australian teammate Steve Smith also threw some weight behind him, saying Starc tried something else against the right-handers upfront but missed out on doing what he does best – delivering inswinging deliveries. Being the best Test batter for the longest time in the past decade, Smith revealed how tough it is to face the incoming 145 kmph plus ball. 

“I think today he was looking to wobble the ball across the right-handed batter, which is a good option, but I feel like he's got to swing it back down the line.” 

“He is a left-hand fast bowler who can bowl at 145+ kmph. There's nothing like a ball swinging back into a right-handed batsman. It’s one of the hardest balls to face. So I’d like to see that first and use that one as a variation to trying to nick off from them," Smith said.

Although Starc went for runs in the previous match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), KKR won the game with seven wickets in hand. 

Kolkata has won both matches and will face Delhi Capitals in Vizag on April 3.