Kolkata Knight Riders’ Mitchell Starc celebrates the wicket of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma during the final of IPL 2024 on May 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR

A slow start in the Indian Premier League put Mitchell Starc’s record price tag under the microscope but the Australian all-formats hero underlined his worth as he lifted Kolkata Knight Riders to a third title.

Starc, the costliest cricketer in the history of the league, was named Player of the Match after taking 2-14 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, including bowling opener Abhishek Sharma with an unplayable delivery that pundits judged the tournament’s best.

The performance followed on from his brilliant semi-final when he took three wickets and bowled Australia team mate Travis Head with the second ball.

Starc started the tournament as one of its least economical bowlers, generating headlines across the world that compared his $2.98 million price tag with his paucity of wickets.

It also led to a few light-hearted barbs from team mates.

None will be laughing at him now.

“There have been plenty of jokes. A lot has been made of the money,” said the rangy left-armer.

“I am older and more experienced now, so that has helped with managing the expectations and leading the attack.

“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s been great to learn and see how these guys go about it but full credit to the whole players and staff, it’s made my life pretty easy.”

Starc’s stunning return to form in the IPL burnishes his record in big matches and comes days before the T20 World Cup starts in the United States and the Caribbean.

The 34-year-old took three wickets in the final of last year’s 50-over World Cup against hosts India and will likely be important for Australia’s hopes of becoming the first nation to hold cricket’s three global trophies in tests, ODIs and T20.

Kolkata’s eye-watering bid for Starc during the IPL auctions stunned the cricket world late last year but it now appears to have been a master stroke.

They may have to fork out more to retain his services in 2025.

Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins will no doubt be happier playing with Starc for Australia than against him in the IPL.

“I thought they bowled fantastically,” Cummins said after Hyderabad were skittled for 113.

“Unfortunately, my old mate Starcy turned it on again.”

KKR’s skipper Shreyas Iyer being honoured during the presentation ceremony after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final cricket match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: PTI

After guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title on Sunday, captain Shreyas Iyer said his side “played like invincibles” the whole season.

The Knight Riders lorded over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL final, winning the lopsided title clash by eight wickets here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

“Absolutely comprehensive (the win). We played like invincibles throughout the season. There’s so much to cherish right now. This is what we demanded from the team and every individual,” Shreyas said during the post-match presentation.

“They stood up to the right occasion and the feeling is hard to express. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout. I am running out of words right now,” he added.

After the IPL, Shreyas will have to wait for more game time as he is not part of India’s squad for the T20 World Cup.

The Mumbaikar hoped to keep in touch with the game.

“All we demanded from ourselves was to back each other whatever the situation is. Looking forward to play more competitive cricket,” he said.

The elegant right-hander reserved a special word of praise for Mitchell Starc, whose two wickets in the Power Play denied SRH early momentum.

“That’s when all the big players stand up, right! It was a high-pressure game and he’s been so good off the field. He’s never shown any complacency in his work ethics. He stepped up to the right occasion,” he noted.

The Mumbai man also heaped accolades on all-rounder Andre Russell, who produced a three-wicket burst in the final.

“He’s got that magic wand. He’s looking forward to pick wickets. All the guys stepped up at the right time and that’s made it easier. It has been a flawless season.”