Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in the IPL final, securing their third title with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The match unfolded as a one-sided affair, with KKR's bowling attack proving too formidable for SRH.Mitchell Starc, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, set the tone with a stunning opening over. His pinpoint yorker dismissed SRH's talismanic opener, Travis Head, for a golden duck. The rest of the KKR bowlers followed suit, with Vaibhav Arora, Andre Russell, and Pat Cummins all claiming wickets in their first overs.SRH's batting lineup struggled to cope with the relentless pressure. They were bowled out for a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Only Pat Cummins (24) offered any resistance, while Russell and Starc picked up three and two wickets respectively.In response, KKR's openers, Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane, made light work of the chase. Iyer, in particular, was in blistering form, smashing 52 off just 26 deliveries. His innings included six fours and three sixes.Rahane provided solid support with an unbeaten 39, as KKR reached their target with 57 balls to spare. The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for KKR, who had finished seventh in the previous season.

Mitchell Starc's Redemption: From Trolling to TriumphWhen Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir acquired Australian speedster Mitchell Starc for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the IPL 2022 auction, it raised eyebrows. Starc's initial performances were underwhelming, leading to criticism and mockery.However, as the tournament progressed, the 34-year-old rediscovered his rhythm. In the playoffs, he delivered two exceptional performances, silencing his detractors. In Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Starc claimed three wickets for 23 runs.In the IPL Final against the same opposition, Starc once again showcased his brilliance. He returned figures of 2 for 14, while fellow quicks Andre Russell and Harshit Rana shared five wickets. SRH was dismissed for a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final since 2013.Gambhir's faith in Starc was vindicated, and he was widely praised for his decision. The initial skepticism transformed into admiration and respect for the KKR mentor.Starc's resurgence is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the initial setbacks, he remained focused and worked hard to regain his form. His performances in the playoffs and final proved that he is still one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world.The KKR victory is a collective effort, but Starc's contribution cannot be overstated. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace made him a formidable weapon for the Kolkata franchise.

Mitchell Starc's Early Strike Sets Tone for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 FinalIn a pulsating IPL 2024 final at the iconic Chepauk Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders' star pacer Mitchell Starc showcased his big-match temperament with a crucial early breakthrough against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-arm seamer struck in the very first over of the match, dismissing the in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, dealing a significant blow to Hyderabad's hopes of a strong start.Starc, the IPL's most expensive player, left the Chennai crowd in awe with a peach of a delivery that breached Sharma's defenses and clipped the outside of his off-stump. The length ball, pitched on middle stump, deviated away at the last moment, leaving Sharma helpless.The early strike set the tone for the match, as Kolkata Knight Riders tightened their grip on the proceedings. Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins had won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to capitalize on the momentum gained from their virtual semi-final victory over Rajasthan Royals two days prior.However, Starc's early breakthrough put Hyderabad on the back foot, and they struggled to recover. The Knight Riders bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length, restricting Hyderabad's scoring rate and forcing them to take unnecessary risks.Kolkata Knight Riders, under the guidance of former India batsman Gautam Gambhir, are seeking their third IPL title after victories in 2012 and 2014. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, are aiming for their second title, having won their maiden crown in 2016 under Australian David Warner.As the match progressed, the Knight Riders continued to dominate, with their bowlers keeping the Hyderabad batsmen in check. The Sunrisers were unable to build any substantial partnerships, and their innings eventually folded for a below-par total.Kolkata Knight Riders, in response, chased down the target with relative ease, thanks to a solid batting performance led by their skipper, Shreyas Iyer. The victory marked a memorable triumph for the Knight Riders, who had endured a challenging season but rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

Mitchell Starc, the experienced Australian pacer, played a pivotal role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2024. Starc's three-wicket haul in the powerplay set the tone for KKR's triumph, restricting SRH to a modest total of 159.Starc's first victim was his Australia teammate Travis Head, who was castled by a sharp inswinger. He then dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed in consecutive deliveries, leaving SRH reeling at 3/25. Starc's performance was particularly impressive considering his inconsistent form throughout the tournament."I have played a fair bit of cricket and have been fortunate enough to play in some big games and big occasions," Starc said after the match. "It was nice to get the team off to a good start that we needed today."Starc's wickets were crucial as they removed SRH's dangerous openers and disrupted their momentum. The pacer's ability to swing the ball and generate seam movement proved too much for the SRH batters."The way Sunrisers take on the powerplay, they've sort of matched us throughout the season in terms of getting off to good starts," Starc said. "It was great to get powerplay wickets and I think our bowling group was fantastic throughout."Starc's performance was praised by KKR coach Tom Moody, who said, "Class from Starc. We know that he has had a difficult three-quarters of the tournament, but that's why you pay big money to big-game players."Despite the dew factor, which made the wicket skiddier, Starc remained confident that the surface would improve for batting in the second innings. "The wicket is going to get a little bit better just with the dew and the bit of skid but in turn, it is also going to swing a little bit," he said.

In a thrilling Qualifier 1 encounter of IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens.KKR captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the mixed-soil pitch. Mitchell Starc, the Australian pacer, delivered a fiery opening over, dismissing Travis Head for a duck with a full-length delivery that crashed into the stumps.Rahul Tripathi and Abhishek Sharma steadied the SRH innings, but Vaibhav Arora struck in the second over, trapping Sharma in front for 15. Tripathi, however, kept the scoreboard ticking, hitting a boundary off Starc in the third over.Nitish Kumar Reddy joined Tripathi at the crease and played a cautious innings, while Tripathi continued to find the boundaries. However, Starc's relentless pace and accuracy proved too much for Tripathi, who was caught by Andre Russell for 24.Reddy and Abdul Samad added 35 runs for the fourth wicket before Samad was dismissed by Harshit Rana for 18. Shahbaz Ahmed and Heinrich Klaasen then chipped in with valuable contributions, but KKR's bowlers kept the pressure on, restricting SRH to 158/6 in their allotted 20 overs.In response, KKR openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine got off to a solid start, putting on 30 runs for the first wicket. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke the partnership, dismissing Gurbaz for 16.Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer then steadied the innings, adding 45 runs for the second wicket. Iyer fell to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth for 25, but Rinku Singh and Andre Russell ensured KKR reached their target with ease.Russell, in particular, played a blistering knock of 42 off just 20 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. He remained unbeaten alongside Rinku Singh (22*) as KKR chased down the target with 10 balls to spare.With this victory, KKR advanced to the Qualifier 2, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator between Lucknow Super Giants and Rajasthan Royals. SRH's campaign ended with this defeat, but they can take solace in their impressive performance throughout the season.

Australia's Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, the two most expensive players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), will face off on Tuesday in a high-stakes playoff match. The winner will advance to the final, while the loser will have a second chance in the Eliminator.Cummins, the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Starc, a key bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders, have both had impressive seasons. Cummins has led Hyderabad to eight wins in 14 matches, while Starc has taken 12 wickets in 12 games.However, it is Cummins's captaincy that has been particularly impressive. He has strategically rotated his bowlers, contributing to Hyderabad's success. Cummins has also been a valuable lower-order batsman, with a highest score of 35 not out.Starc, on the other hand, has been finding his form just in time for the World Cup. He took 3 for 38 against the Lucknow Super Giants and 4 for 33 against the Mumbai Indians in recent matches.The IPL final will be followed just six days later by the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States. Cummins led Australia to victory in the 50-over World Cup last year, and he will be hoping to lead Hyderabad to their second IPL title.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have emerged as a formidable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, securing a top spot in the league phase with an impressive record of nine wins and three losses. As the playoffs approach, opener Phil Salt expresses his optimism for the team's continued success."We've had a great run so far, and we're hoping to keep the momentum going," Salt said on KKR's Knights Dugout Podcast. "It's about taking it day by day and putting our best foot forward."Salt has been a key contributor to KKR's success, forming a potent opening partnership with Sunil Narine. Their aggressive approach has often left opposition bowlers struggling to contain them.Mitchell Starc, KKR's left-arm pacer, shares Salt's enthusiasm for the playoffs. "We're all excited to be here and we're aiming to win the trophy," Starc said. "That's what we're here for."Starc, who is making his return to the IPL after a 10-year absence, is eager to make an impact. "It's been a while since I've been here, but I'm looking forward to it," he said.Salt also reflected on his recent experience with the England squad. "It was an incredible experience," he said. "My phone was blowing up with messages congratulating me."He shared an anecdote about facing Jofra Archer in the nets. "He's the fastest I've faced in the nets," Salt said. "It's good because it helps sharpen the reflexes, but there have been times when he's hit me right before the match day and then all hell has broken loose."KKR will face second-placed Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on May 19 in the concluding match of the league stage. The team is determined to maintain its momentum and secure a berth in the playoffs.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) approaches its climax, several Australian World Cup squad members have made significant contributions to their respective teams. Here's a detailed analysis of their performances over the past week:Mitchell Starc's Inconsistent FormMitchell Starc's tournament has been a tale of ups and downs. In the past week, he claimed 4 for 33 in Kolkata Knight Riders' victory over Mumbai Indians, showcasing his ability to deliver in crucial moments. However, his overall economy rate of 11.37 remains a concern for Australia.Marcus Stoinis' Sublime PerformancesMarcus Stoinis has continued to excel in the IPL, earning Player-of-the-Match honors against Mumbai Indians. His versatility with the ball and his ability to control the chase with the bat have been instrumental in Lucknow Super Giants' success.Pat Cummins' Captaincy MasterclassPat Cummins has impressed as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading them to a thrilling final-ball victory over Rajasthan Royals. His astute bowling and captaincy skills were crucial in securing the win, despite dropping a crucial catch earlier in the match.Travis Head's Consistent BattingTravis Head has maintained his impressive form, scoring a half-century against Rajasthan Royals. While it was his slowest knock of the tournament, it demonstrated his ability to adapt to different situations.Maxwell and Green's Batting ConcernsDespite promising signs for Australia's World Cup campaign, Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green's batting form remains a slight concern. Maxwell has struggled to find his rhythm, while Green has shown glimpses of potential but needs to find consistency.ConclusionAs the IPL enters its final stages, the performances of these Australian players will be closely monitored by the national selectors. While some have impressed, others have work to do to secure their places in the World Cup squad.

Mitchell Starc, the most expensive pick in IPL history, has endured a challenging start to his 2024 campaign. Despite his hefty price tag of INR 24.75 crore, the Australian pacer has struggled to make an impact, with just seven wickets and an economy of 11.78 in his first eight outings. However, Starc bounced back with a stellar performance in Kolkata Knight Riders' 24-run victory over Mumbai Indians, claiming 4 for 33.Starc attributed his improved performance to the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match. "The Impact Player rule changes things a fair bit," he explained. "Everyone gets to bat a lot deeper having a batting and a bowling XI. There's a lot made of that rule throughout the tournament and there's been a lot of high scores, which is the nature of the wickets and the grounds we play on here."Starc believes that the rule has contributed to the inflated bowling figures this season. "When you have batters and batting allrounders come in at Nos. 8 or 9, it's a long batting line-up," he said. "There's no fear in the powerplay when all you have to do is to clear the infield and score runs."Despite his initial struggles, Starc remains confident in his abilities. "I haven't changed too much," he said. "It's about assessing conditions after the first innings. We certainly spoke about it and the batters that came off throughout that first innings mentioned the wicket and the lengths that were the hardest to face. That created the bowling plans for us."Starc also praised the young fast bowlers at KKR, including Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora. "I am a bit more experienced and a bit older, at the same time I haven't played a lot of T20 cricket," he said. "[So it is about] working off each other in a way."With just one week separating the IPL from the T20 World Cup, Starc is not concerned about his workload. "It's T20 cricket, it's not as demanding as Test match cricket," he said. "Physically it is not a problem and it's fantastic lead-in to play here in the best T20 league in the world."Starc expects the T20 World Cup to provide a more balanced contest between bat and ball. "There's no Impact Player rule [in international cricket], so whether that affects the scores is yet to be seen," he said. "I think it probably will. People talk about the balance of the team when you can't just bring someone in. Your allrounders come back into play. Captains have to think a bit tactically, too, when you have just 11 players."