Follow UsAfter being released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of IPL 2025, Mitchell Starc was purchased by Delhi Capitals at the mega auction for INR 11.75 cr.
And Starc, known for breaking open games in the powerplay with the new ball, began the season on fire for the Capitals, tormenting teams up front. Across the first three games of the season, Starc took 4 wickets in the powerplay, denting opposition sides up front. 3 of the 4 wickets came in the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), whom he owned for a third straight game running.
However, post the clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk, Starc endured a dry run in the powerplay. In the following six games, the left-arm bowler bowled 11 overs in the powerplay but failed to take a single wicket.
Entering into the clash against his former side KKR today, then, Starc had gone 69 balls without taking a wicket in the powerplay.
However, the uncharacteristic drought ended today at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the Aussie quickly broke the unwanted streak by taking the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Starc began with an 8-run over but got hit for two fours and a six in the first four balls of his second over. Things were not looking good.
But that’s when Starc bounced back. He went ‘round the wicket and got Gurbaz to nick a very full ball that angled into him and left him at the last moment. The ball was so full that the umpires had to do a bump-ball check. The wicketkeeper Abishek Porel dove to his right and completed a fine catch to send the Afghan opener packing.
The powerplay drought ended, but Starc still ended up being expensive, going for 35 runs in the 3 overs he bowled in the powerplay. Still searching for the new-ball rhythm that he lost after the CSK game.