KKR CEO Venky Mysore backs Starc to light up IPL 2024 despite sluggish start

Mitchell Starc's returns in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season have raised questions over Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) massive investment in the Australian speedster. KKR paid a staggering amount of INR 24.75 crore to secure Starc's services at the IPL 2024 auction, making him the costliest buy in the tournament's history.

Starc had played just two T20Is in 2024 and was making a comeback to the IPL after a nine-year gap. His rustiness was evident in the early matches, where he conceded runs at an alarming rate without picking up wickets.

Starc's struggles were evident on Sunday against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens. Tasked with defending 21 runs in the final over, the Australian pacer was taken to the cleaners by Karn Sharma, who smashed him for three sixes in four balls. Starc ultimately conceded 55 runs in his three overs, making him the most expensive bowler of the match.

Also read: Someday Mitchell Starc will win us games, we are not worried about him: Harshit Rana

An addition to the team like Mitchell Starc would add a lot of value: Venky Mysore

Despite Starc's struggles, KKR's managing director and CEO Venky Mysore remains confident in the 34-year-old's abilities, "He's a superstar and he's a quality player, We don't think of it from an investment standpoint, because you go to the auction and things happen in the auction, which is not in the hands of the player, nor is it in the hands of anybody else," Mysore was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times. 

Mysore emphasised that Starc's presence alone is very crucial in the KKR bowling lineup, and the support staff had specific skills in mind when they acquired the left arm. "We just felt that an addition to the team like Mitchell Starc would add a lot of value, which it has," he further added.

After conceding three sixes, Starc somehow managed to bring back his side in the game and took a low return catch to dismiss Sharma eventually helping Kolkata register a dramatic one-run victory.

"There are times when games are up and down. Everybody gets taken to the cleaners at times, and there are other times they come and just do their thing and win games for the team. So we're super happy having him in the setup," Mysore further added.

Also read: I would assume that Mitchell Starc, especially at that price, hasn't really hit the nail on its head: Ian Bishop

With KKR sitting comfortably in second place on the points table after the halfway mark, Mysore expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, crediting mentor Gautam Gambhir's winning attitude and intensity for the team's consistency. 

"I think the consistency that is shown, I think we look like a more balanced and settled side this year. Needless to say, Gautam coming in adds a lot of weight purely from the intensity that he brings, the experience that he brings. The winning attitude, I mean, he and Chandu are both very, very determined and very desperate to win," he concluded.