Despite Mitchell Starc‘s disappointing display with the ball, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by one run at the Eden Gardens, which allowed the Shreyas Iyer-led franchise to return to the winning ways.

Starc had a difficult match against RCB, conceding 55 runs from his 3 overs. The left-arm fast bowler was hit hard in his opening over, giving away 15 runs. When he returned to bowl the final over of the powerplay, Will Jacks blasted him for 22 runs including 3 sixes.

The Aussie pacer was not given the ball before being called upon to bowl the crucial final over with RCB needing 21 runs. Starc was expected to clinch victory for KKR, but he struggled and conceding three sixes in the first four deliveries.

Karn Sharma smacked the fast bowler for 18 runs, bringing the target to just three runs off the final two deliveries. However, Starc took a sharp catch on the fifth ball to dismiss Sharma. On the last ball, Lockie Ferguson was run out while attempting a second run.

After the game, Harshit Rana came to Mitchell Starc’s defense and expressed confidence that the KKR pacer would bounce back. Rana stated that the team is not worried about Starc’s recent struggles, adding that he expects Starc will lead KKR to victories in upcoming matches.

“As an ace bowler, he has his own plans. Every bowler enters the field with a strategy. He will win matches for us. We have complete faith in his abilities and are not worried about him,” said Rana.

Mitchell Starc became the most expensive player ever bought in an IPL auction when KKR paid ₹24.75 crore for his services, but the left-arm pacer has failed to live up to expectations in IPL 2024.

In seven games so far, Starc has struggled, taking just six wickets at an economy of 11.48. He has gone wicketless in four matches..For a player with such a hefty price tag, Starc’s poor performance has been a major disappointment for KKR in the 17th season.

Related