Ricky Ponting delves into Mitchell Starc’s dismal opening run in IPL 2024. The left-arm bowler had a rough start to his IPL 2024 career, finding it difficult to regain his typical form in the first few games.
Mitchell Starc led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title and name Player of the Match in both the qualifying round and the final. His performance did not live up to the high price he commanded as the most expensive bidder at INR 24.75 crore in the first part of the season. In the first two games against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he struggled to find his rhythm.
In an interview with the International Cricket Council. Former Australia captain and head coach of the Delhi Capitals Ricky Ponting, whose side was unable to go past the league stage because of net run rate, discussed Starc’s sluggish start. Citing the exorbitant price tag as a contributing cause.
He said that players frequently overdo it in an effort to defend such a high valuation. He also blame Eden Gardens, the home ground of KKR, for Starc’s strange troubles. Pointing out that although fast bowlers usually get early swing under the lights there, that wasn’t the case this season. He credited the outfield’s rock-hard concrete and the short size of the field for Starc’s high economy rate.
Players may try to push themselves a little bit harder and do more than is necessary because of the expectations that come with the price tag. The Eden Gardens is a short field with a concrete outfield, and the ball didn’t swing very much there this year when Mitch was bowling there, according to information that Ponting provided to ICC.
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Ponting foresees Starc excelling at the T20 World Cup 2024
Expanding on his remarks, the 49-year-old made a comparison between the Caribbean and India in terms of how favorable they are for fast-bowling. He pointed out that the outfield and dimensions in India are geared towards favouring batters; even bowlers with the velocity of Starc are not immune, since French cuts frequently end up on the boundary. He did, however, point out that Starc would fare better in the Caribbean than in the IPL due to the slower winds and less lush outfield, and that Starc would make a far bigger impression at the June grand final.
Additionally, inside edges that merely find their way through the field often end up going for four when bowled at Starc’s velocity. It’s not the easiest area in the world to bowl quickly, but Starc will have an effect if we travel to the Caribbean, where the wind is a little bit slower and the ball doesn’t fly off the bat as hard, Ponting continued.
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