KKR vs PBKS: Aakash Chopra rips into Mitchell Starc and demands review of pacer's performance from KKR fans
Published - 22 Apr 2024, 07:02 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator, Aakash Chopra, criticized Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) seamer Mitchell Starc's bowling against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the thrilling IPL 2024 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, April 21.
However, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) managed to defend the 222 runs to secure a one-run win against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens. With his win, KKR climbed into the second spot in the IPL 2024 points table with 10 points from 7 games so far.
Mitchell Starc once again emerged as the most expensive bowler for the KKR, as the Australian speedster conceded 55 runs in three overs and took the very crucial wicket of Karn Sharma (20 runs off 7 balls), who was on the full song with the bat for the first time in his career.
Aakash Chopra slams Mitchell Starc's bowling against RCB
Reflecting on KKR's bowling against the RCB in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said:
"Harshit Rana - a performance deserving thumbs up with both hands. Sunil Narine - a performance deserving thumbs up with both hands. Varun Chakaravarthy bowled an over where he conceded only five runs. Harshit Rana came for the next over and he too bowled a six-run over.
You can criticize that we shouldn't talk this and that about Mitchell Starc, but if you are a Kolkata fan, tell me what you feel about Mitchell Starc this season. Give an honest review on whether you were happy with what you saw. If you are not happy, then if someone else is criticizing and showing the truth in the mirror, don't take your ire on him.”
Chopra further mentioned that KKR had almost lost the game to RCB due to Starc. He questioned the Australian pacer’s tactic, as Karn smashed him for three back-to-back sixes when the RCB needed 21 runs in the last over.
"Actually the match turned from there" - Aakash Chopra
However, Starc managed to dismiss the RCB pacer to win the game for KKR, but the commentator feels the Kolkata team should have easily won the game much before the final ball at home.
Chopra signed off by saying, “In the end, 21 runs were required in the last over. He kept third man and point inside the circle and was bowling wide yorkers to Karn Sharma, and Karn hit him for three sixes. He took an excellent caught-and-bowled, actually the match turned from there, or else it would have been over.”
The cricket expert also lauded Phil Salt (48), Shreyas Iyer (50), Rinku Singh (24), Andre Russell (27*) and Ramandeep Singh (24*) for their brilliant batting against the RCB in Kolkata. Notably, KKR will next face the struggling Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the ongoing IPL 2024 at Eden Gardens on April 26.
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