Mitchell Starc Cleans Up Abhishek Sharma With A Peach Of A Delivery

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium was set to be a thrilling clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With the stakes high and anticipation through the roof, SRH captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a formidable target for the chasing team. However, what unfolded was a masterclass in bowling, particularly from KKR’s Mitchell Starc, which left SRH reeling and their title hopes in jeopardy.

Early Breakthrough by Mitchell Starc

The match began with SRH’s explosive opening duo, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, taking the crease. Known for their destructive performances throughout the season, they faced a formidable challenge against KKR’s pace attack, spearheaded by the fiery Mitchell Starc. From the outset, Starc showed why he is one of the most feared bowlers in the world. On the fifth ball of the innings, he delivered a perfect length ball that pitched on the middle stump and tailed away at the last moment. Abhishek Sharma, who had been in sublime form, was completely deceived. The ball breached his defenses and clipped the top of the off-stump, sending Abhishek back to the pavilion for just 2 runs. Starc’s brilliant outswinger set the tone for KKR, drawing first blood and putting SRH on the back foot from the outset.

Vaibhav Arora’s Crucial Strike

Following the early dismissal of Abhishek Sharma, SRH’s troubles compounded quickly. Vaibhav Arora, bowling with precision and discipline, took up the challenge. Arora’s delivery to Travis Head was nothing short of spectacular. He bowled a short-pitched outswinger that found the edge of Head’s bat. The ball flew straight into the gloves of wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, sending the dangerous Head back for a golden duck. With this crucial strike, SRH found themselves in deeper trouble, losing both their openers with just 2 runs on the board. The pressure mounted as the KKR bowlers tightened their grip on the game.

Starc’s Double Blow

Mitchell Starc wasn’t done yet. Returning for his next over, he continued his lethal spell by targeting the explosive Rahul Tripathi. Known for his aggressive batting style, Tripathi was expected to stabilize the innings. However, Starc’s pace and precision proved too much for him. Tripathi managed only a brief stay at the crease before Starc’s delivery found the edge, leading to a straightforward catch. With SRH reduced to 40/3 by the end of the powerplay, Starc’s double blow had significantly dented their chances of posting a competitive total.

Middle-Order Collapse

The middle-order collapse was swift and brutal. KKR’s bowlers, particularly Starc and Arora, continued to exploit the conditions perfectly. Each SRH batsman who walked to the crease faced immense pressure. The early wickets created a domino effect, with the middle order struggling to build any significant partnerships. Experienced campaigners like Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen tried to steady the ship but found it challenging to counter the relentless KKR attack. The scoreboard reflected the turmoil as SRH’s innings struggled to gain momentum, further slipping to 85/6.

Late Resistance by the Lower Order

Amidst the carnage, there was a glimmer of resistance from the lower order. Rashid Khan, known for his all-round capabilities, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, put up a fight. Their partnership provided a brief respite and added some respectability to the total. Rashid’s aggressive batting and Bhuvneshwar’s resilience pushed SRH’s score past the 120-run mark. However, the damage inflicted by the early and middle-order collapses was too severe to allow for a substantial recovery. SRH eventually folded for 135 in 19.4 overs, setting a modest target for KKR.

KKR’s Dominant Chase

Chasing a modest total of 136, KKR’s opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shubman Gill took the field with confidence. The SRH bowlers needed early breakthroughs to have any chance of defending the low score. However, KKR’s openers showed great composure and played sensible cricket, ensuring there were no early hiccups. Gill, in particular, displayed his class, anchoring the innings with a well-paced knock. The duo laid a solid foundation, and despite a few hiccups in the middle overs, KKR’s middle-order batsmen ensured there were no major collapses. KKR chased down the target comfortably in 17.3 overs, clinching the IPL 2024 title.

The IPL 2024 final will be remembered for Mitchell Starc’s devastating spell that dismantled SRH’s batting lineup. His early breakthroughs, along with the support from Vaibhav Arora, set the tone for a dominant performance by KKR. Despite a brief fightback from SRH’s lower order, the target was too modest to challenge KKR’s batting might. The victory was a testament to KKR’s all-round strength and strategic prowess, making them deserving champions of this IPL season.

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