Indian fans may not be excited enough about the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Qualifier 1, featuring Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). It’s a dream match-up for the Aussie audience. The knockouts begin Tuesday with a duel between two of the most expensive players—KKR pacer Mitchell Starc and SRH captain Pat Cummins—in an epic battle at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The winner will receive a ticket to the finale.
Starc had scripted history with a contract worth ₹24.75 crores from KKR in last year’s players’ auction in Dubai. He shattered the previous record minutes after the SRH management broke the bank to sign Pat Cummins for a whopping ₹20.5 crores. But interestingly, both Australians had contrasting journeys this season.
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Starc made his IPL comeback after seven years, and his hefty contract made him one of the league’s hottest properties. But the hype suddenly vanished after he returned wicketless KKR’sR’s first two encounters, conceding 100 runs in 8 overs. However, he got himself among wickets but needed more consistency. But, come the crucial game against Mumbai Indians, he starred with figures of 4 for 33, helping the team register their first win at the Wahkhede Stadium after 12 years.
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Overall, the left-arm quick has yet to leave an impact, especially to justify his price tag. However, it all goes well if the team wins, and in Starc’sc’s case, the side stands out as the best in the league stages.
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On the other hand, Cummins, too, was back after a sabbatical but in a new capacity. The Sunrisers Hyderabad appointed him as their new captain, much to the surprise of fans and pundits alike. And after a few tumultuous seasons, the Orange Army hit the right path under Cummins. Under his leadership, the Sunrisres changed the style of playing T20 cricket, setting the record for the highest T20 score twice this season, with innings of 277 and 287.
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On the bowling front, Cummins has been much more consistent than Starc. He has been the second-highest wicket-taker for the Sunrisers, picking up 15 wickets in 13 matches.
‘Never Played an IPL Final’
SRH finished second on the table after their last league-stage game against Punjab with a four-wicket win on Sunday. Cummins, who has yet to play an IPL final, looks forward to the knockouts’ challenges. “It’s pretty cool; it is awesome. We have won 6 out of 7 here; it has been great and amazing. I didn’t know many guys coming into this season, but we have played great cricket and had some f” n,” Cummins said after defeating Punjab on Sunday.”
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“Satisfying and exciting. I haven’t played in finals before, but we’ll know which game it is in a few hours. Playing some really good cricket, excited for what’s ahead,” he added.
Travis Head – Another Big-ticket Aussie in the game
Cummins will have Travis Head by his side, who will be against KKR in the all-important Qualifier 1 on Tuesday. The left-hander has scored 533 runs, including a century and four fifties, standing third in the batting chart, led by Virat Kohli on 708.
Head has garnered the limelight with his attacking approach in every game this season. His fiery starts have set the foundation for SRH’s high-scoring affairs and big-margin victories.
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