IPL 2024: Mitchell Starc’s Spirited Performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in Warm-up Match

During Tuesday’s second warm-up match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Australian left-arm bowler Mitchell Starc made his return to the “IPL circus” after nearly ten years. Mitchell Starc bowled with the new ball and received several late smashes from Rinku Singh. The Australian was acquired by KKR ahead of the 2018 Indian Premier League, although he was unable to play because of an injury. He last competed in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015. In an attempt to strengthen their pace attack, which has been lacking bite lately, the Shah Rukh Khan-owned team shattered the record this year by paying an all-time high sum of Rs 24.75 crore to get him.

When it’s the greatest T20 league in the world, things are usually a little bit of a circus. Undoubtedly, it’s a fresh task. Yes, it will undoubtedly be thrilling. I’m excited about it, so yes, Starc said. “I guess not much from my 2014 and 2015 RCB experience comes to mind, but I can’t wait to get going. Clearly, a fresh cast of characters. A group of guys I’ve never met or collaborated with before, he declared. The 34-year-old looked great while playing for Team Purple versus Team Gold in their warm-up. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and eighteen-year-old Angkrish Raghuvanshi had some nervous moments during Starc’s opening over as he bowled full pace with the new ball.

Mitch Starc taking wickets in purple – we can get used to this! 😌 pic.twitter.com/Xgls0JoQmH

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 19, 2024

He produced an unusual bounce off a slow Eden wicket, as Angkrish, the champion of the 2022 U-19 World Cup, was hit several times outside the off-stump. After giving Afghan batsman Gurbaz a rough bounce, Starc trapped him leg before wicket in an exciting first over that ended with a score of 1-0-1-1. In the second over, Starc was in action, taking a skier reaching to his right to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer off the bowling of Andre Russell while fielding at the deep fine leg. Before the young players raced him down the track and got a boundary with a pull-over fine leg in the third over, Starc again defeated Angkrish a few times.

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Angriksh then created a stunning highway through a ravine as a second border. Before being asked to bowl in the end with Rinku and Manish Pandey at the crease, Starc ran hard and saved a few boundaries.Rinku and Manish went all out, piercing the gaps as the Australian found himself on the receiving end. He ended up with figures of 4-0-40-1, conceding 20 runs in the last over. In the final over, Rinku got off to a six-over midwicket after Starc mishandled his yorker and ended up pitching a full toss.

A special guest at our practice match – @flintoff11 is here! 💜 pic.twitter.com/iHVvd4NNPF

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 19, 2024

Overall, though, Starc put on an energetic display before their tournament debut here on Saturday against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Their two-time IPL champion captain and current team manager, Gautam Gambhir, would have undoubtedly approved of the effort. He and head coach Chandrakant Pandit watched the event from the dugout.Former England captain Andrew Flintoff conversed politely with the KKR team management while observing the game from the sidelines.

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