Mitchell Starc on Sunday bowled a sensational opening spell to fire Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title with a eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kolkata bowled out Hyderabad for the IPL’s lowest total of 113 in a final as Australia’s left-arm quick Starc returned figures of 2-14 to live up to his top billing in the world’s most lucrative T20 tournament.
Starc went to Kolkata for a record US$2.98 million in the auction in December last year and ended the IPL with two stellar performances, including a match-winning 3-34 in the first playoff to hammer the same opponents.
Photo: AP
Kolkata’s batsmen had it easy, and despite Sunil Narine’s early departure, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who made 39, and Venkatesh Iyer, on 52 not out, helped the team home with 9.3 overs to spare after a partnership of 91.
Iyer, a left-handed batsman, reached his 50 in 24 balls and hit the winning runs to trigger celebrations for Kolkata, who remained the most dominant team after they ended top of the table with 20 points in the league phase.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer was unbeaten on 6, and at the other end, when Kolkata players came rushing on to the pitch and the stadium fireworks went off.
“Great night for KKR. What a game, what a season,” player-of-the-match Starc said. “Probably the two most exciting teams in the final. We have had a fantastic squad of bowlers and batters, our staff have been fantastic to get everyone peaking.”
On the pressure of his high price tag, Starc said: “There’s been jokes about the money. I am experienced, that’s helped with all the expectations.”
Players and national teams now move to the T20 World Cup starting on Saturday in the West Indies and the US.
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