Mitchell Starc has been the target of hitters’ aggression this season, but the KKR bowler claims there is no “price-tag pressure on him”.
Mitchell Starc, a Kolkata Knight Riders and Australia pacer, believes that without the Indian Premier League’s Impact player rule, captains will have to think more tactically when the T20 World Cup begins in the Americas next month. The impact player rule, which was imposed last year, has seen teams bat with increased aggression and fearlessness, resulting in consistent totals of more than 200 runs.This year’s IPL has been exceptionally high-scoring, with at least three teams hitting more than 250 runs.
“The impact player rule affects things quite a bit. Everyone gets to bat a lot deeper with a batting and bowling XI,” Starc told reporters after KKR defeated the Mumbai Indians by 24 runs here on Friday.
“I suppose there’s a lot made of that rule, and there’s been a lot of high scores, which is typical of the wickets and grounds we play on here. The impact player rule has contributed to the fact that when batters and batting all-rounders come in at Nos. 8 or 9, the batting order is long.
When all you need to do to win the powerplay is score runs and clear the infield, there’s no need to be afraid. Don’t get me wrong, there has been some very excellent batting, but more than just the rules are involved.” Starc, who scored 4/33 in KKR’s victory, stated that the absence of such a restriction in the T20 World Cup may have an effect on the results.
“There have been some incredible runs, some incredible teamwork, and some outstanding batting performances by individuals. On the other hand, there is no impact player regulation and only time (will) tell with the World Cup starting next month. It remains to be seen if that has an impact on the scores,” he stated.
Most likely, it will. There has been discussion regarding the team’s balance, and when substituting players isn’t an option, the team’s all-rounders—unquestionably elite all-rounders—come back into action.
“With only eleven players, captains will also need to use some tactical judgment. Experiencing it firsthand in the IPL has been interesting, he continued.
Despite being purchased for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crores, Starc, an Australian bowler, claimed there was no “price-tag pressure on him” despite being the target of batters’ aggression this season.
He remarked, “It is what it is; I didn’t set my price tag.”
While the 34-year-old acknowledged that the IPL is a great way to get ready for the T20 World Cup, he is also keeping his eyes on the present and wants to help KKR go closer to their goal of winning the competition.
It’s not something I’ve given much consideration to. Compared to a Test match, T20 cricket is less demanding. It’s a great lead-up to play here in the world’s top T20 competition, and it’s not a physical issue,” he remarked.
“A number of players from this competition will compete in the World Cup; you’re playing some excellent cricket in the lead-up to it. Seeing and testing your talents is a nice thing in that aspect.
“That’s a standard aspect of international cricket in terms of duration. My primary concentration is on the play in Lucknow in two days; the World Cup is in a month. Right now, the focus is on trying to assist KKR in winning the competition.”
