AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — Mitchell Starc dismantled the batting power-house of Sunrisers Hyderabad for 159 and spearheaded two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders to the Indian Premier League final with a crushing eight-wicket win in the playoff on Tuesday.
Starc, who had signed for a record-breaking $2.9 million in his IPL return, reserved his best for the big game in the playoff with 3-34 after Hyderabad won the toss but crumbled against the Australian left-arm fast bowler.
Kolkata, which topped the points table with nine wins, cruised to 164-2 in just 13.4 overs with captain Shreyas Iyer (58) and Venkatesh Iyer (51) both hitting unbeaten half-centuries.
Hyderabad will get another chance to qualify for the final on Friday when they meet the winner of Wednesday’s eliminator between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals.
Starc sliced through the top-order with his impeccable seam and swing and reduced Hyderabad to 39-4 inside the batting power play. Starc had his Australian teammate Travis Head for second successive duck in the tournament when he had him clean bowled off the second delivery that swung away late from the left-hander.
Iran's nuclear policy unlikely to change even after president's death
Surging auto insurance rates squeeze drivers, fuel inflation
The body types that raise the risk of colon cancer
The family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure hasn't heard from her for over 400 days
Bills linebacker Matt Milano still at least a month away from being cleared to practice, coach says
Tennessee would criminalize helping minors get abortions under bill heading to governor
Former Labour minister Frank Field dies from cancer aged 81: Tributes pour in for 'formidable' ex
Connecticut's first Black chief justice, Richard A. Robinson, to retire in September
Testimony at Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial focuses on his wife's New Jersey home
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash