Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s coach, is unconcerned by Mitchell Starc’s disappointing performance in the 17th IPL season.
‘Don’t talk about individuals. How many did KKR win?’: Gautam Gambhir’s smashing response to critics of Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc, the IPL’s most expensive acquisition, is proving to be a loss-making venture for Kolkata Knight Riders. The Australian left-arm quick, who was bought by the team for a record amount of ₹24.75 crore, has so far claimed only two wickets in IPL 2024 at an average of 77, and has conceded 11 runs per over across four matches. Except for the encounter against the Delhi Capitals, where Star produced stats of 2/25, Starc has not taken a wicket in any of the previous matches.
What’s more concerning for KKR is that the lanky bowler has shown very little swing with the new ball and has gone for a lot at the end. These are the two areas where Starc excels in white-ball cricket. Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s coach, is unconcerned by Starc’s poor performances in the 17th IPL season.
The former KKR captain stated that he does not worry about individual results. “There is no reason why you should discuss individual performance. Mitchell Starc seemed to have done quite well. I believe he’s bowled some challenging overs. And he will make an impact in what he has been selected for,” Gambhir told reporters in Kolkata on the day of KKR’s second encounter against Lucknow Super Giants.
After three away games, KKR has returned to their fortress, Eden Gardens. They have three consecutive matches scheduled here. A victory in at least two of them would solidify the two-time champs’ position in the playoff competition. And Gambhir understands that Starc will play an important role in it.
“Tomorrow might be a whole different day. Perhaps tomorrow will be a whole different day. “An individual can give a fantastic performance, but the team does not win,” Gambhir explained.
Gambhir, who served as the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in the past two seasons, has returned to his former team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he previously led the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 during his tenure from 2011 to 2017.
During Gambhir’s time with Lucknow Super Giants, KKR faced defeat in all three encounters against them.
However, Gambhir emphasized the importance of a fresh start, stating that past events hold no significance as they prepare for the upcoming match.
“It’s a new day, new start. What difference does it make what has transpired in the last two years? It truly doesn’t matter. We begin anew,” Gambhir remarked. “We are all eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s game. It’s against a quality side, but we also possess quality within our team,” he added.
