• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news, IPL 2024
• 03/31/2024
• 0 Comments

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc’s return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has been marked by initial struggles. Despite his reputation as a death-over specialist, Starc has failed to make a significant impact in the first couple of games, remaining wicketless and conceding 100 runs. KKR’s decision to invest a record-breaking amount of INR 24.75 crore in Starc aimed to bolster their death bowling, but the seasoned seamer has yet to find his rhythm in IPL 2024.

Challenges Faced by Starc

Starc’s struggles in IPL 2024 stem from challenges in execution and adaptability. His yorkers have lacked precision, and opposing batters have effectively handled his short balls. Even with the new ball, Starc has failed to make early breakthroughs, raising concerns about his form and impact in the tournament.

Steve Smith, part of Star Sports’ expert panel for IPL 2024 coverage, offered insights into Starc’s performance. Despite attempting to wobble the ball across right-handed batters, Smith suggested Starc could enhance his effectiveness by swinging the ball back into them. Highlighting the difficulty for batters facing an inswinging delivery from a left-arm fast bowler, Smith emphasised the potency of such a delivery and urged Starc to utilise it as a variation in his bowling arsenal.

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Irfan Pathan’s Perspective

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan echoed Smith’s sentiments regarding Starc’s potential strategy for success. Pathan emphasised Starc’s proficiency when swinging the ball in and stressed the importance of mastering this aspect of his bowling. Acknowledging possible factors contributing to Starc’s subdued performance, including adaptation to Indian conditions, Pathan expressed confidence that once Starc regains his inswing, he will emerge as a formidable force in IPL 2024.

As Starc continues his IPL 2024 campaign with KKR, the focus will be on his ability to implement the suggested game plan. With guidance from seasoned experts like Steve Smith and Irfan Pathan, Starc has valuable insights to refine his bowling approach and overcome early challenges. The cricketing world awaits Starc’s resurgence, anticipating his potential impact as a match-winning bowler in the tournament.