Mitchell Starc Criticizes Lengthy IPL 2024 Final Ceremony
Mitchell Starc expressed his dissatisfaction with the prolonged presentation ceremony following the IPL 2024 final, where his team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), triumphed over Sunrisers Hyderabad to claim their third title. The Australian pacer was particularly upset about the ceremony starting late, long after KKR’s victory. Starc stated that the post-match presentation began two hours after the match ended, dampening the team’s celebratory mood.
The Extended Post-Match Ceremony
The post-match ceremony of any IPL final is typically a lengthy event. It includes interviews with players from the winning team, celebratory moments with team owners (in this case, Shah Rukh Khan), and acknowledgments of dignitaries involved in the tournament. The runner-up team receives individual medals before the winning team lifts the trophy. Despite being a memorable moment for KKR, who secured their first IPL title in ten years, the ceremony stretched too long, according to Starc.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s Reaction to the Prize Money
Starc also shared an amusing anecdote about his teammate Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 19, upon seeing the winner’s prize money. Raghuvanshi, an India Under-19 World Cup winner who played ten games for KKR, was surprised by the prize amount.
“Any chances of presentation, you ask? Well, two hours later. The game finished at 10 PM, and the presentation hadn’t even started by midnight. It killed the vibe. We’re sitting down, and young Anky [Angkrish Raghuvanshi], who is our No. 3; he sees the winner’s cheque coming. The team got ₹20 crore for winning the final. And he goes ‘Huh! It’s not even what you got paid’,” Starc shared on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.
Starc’s Stellar Performance in IPL 2024
For Starc, IPL 2024 marked his first Indian Premier League season in nine years, and he made a significant impact. Purchased for a record ₹24.75 crore, making him the most expensive cricketer in IPL auction history, Starc finished the season with 17 wickets. He started slowly but peaked at the crucial moments, delivering outstanding performances in the Qualifier 1 and the final.
Memorable Dismissal of Travis Head
Starc reminisced about a standout moment from the Playoffs, where he dismissed Travis Head with a remarkable delivery. In the first Qualifier, he took 3/34 against SRH, including Head’s wicket. In the final, Starc continued his form, picking 2/14 and earning the Player of the Match award. He fondly remembered the delivery that bowled Head, comparing it to one of his best wickets ever.
“Yeah, it’s probably right up there, with the one I bowled to Brendon McCullum in the 2015 World Cup final,” Starc reflected.
Conclusion
Despite the frustration over the extended post-match ceremony, Starc’s performance in IPL 2024 was commendable, helping KKR secure their third title and leaving a lasting impact with his remarkable bowling.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)