Mitchell Starc will be Kolkata Knight Riders’ X-factor in IPL 2024: Gautam Gambhir

Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir feels Mitchell Starc will be the franchise’s X-factor in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League 2024. KKR broke the bank for the Australian gun fast bowler, buying him for a whopping amount of INR 24.75 crores.

Gambhir, who led KKR to two titles in 2012 and 2014, feels the huge price tag will not put any extra pressure on the left-arm seamer. Starc last played in the IPL in 2015 for Royal Challengers Bangalore and it will be interesting to note how he will fare out.

“I don’t think the price tag will be an added pressure for him. I only hope he can do for KKR what he does for Australia in international cricket,” said Gambhir after landing in Kolkata.

Starc has scalped 34 wickets in 27 IPL matches at an average of 20.38 and an economy rate of 7.17.

Gambhir added that KKR is an emotion for him and he hopes to fulfill all the lofty expectations of the fans.

“I have always mentioned that KKR to me is not a franchise, but an emotion. I am thus happy to be back,”

“I know there will be expectations and I hope to live up to it and make the fans happy,” said Gambhir.

Meanwhile, Gambhir was associated with Lucknow Super Giants in the last two editions of the IPL as a mentor and the franchise was able to make it to the playoff stages in both seasons.

On the other hand, KKR was led by Nitish Rana in the previous season in the absence of injured Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas, who is under the pump for his poor form, will look to lead KKR from the front in the forthcoming season.

KKR will begin their IPL campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 23.