IPL 2024 is all set to begin on March 22, when defending champions Chennai Super Kings will be taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir, mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders, has asserted that the Australian pacer Mitchell Starc will bring an X-factor to the two-time champions in the forthcoming IPL 2024 season.
Starc is all ready to rejoin the IPL after a significant nine-year hiatus, which was secured by KKR for a substantial sum of 24.75 crores after an intense bidding war with the Gujarat Titans. Notably, the left-arm pacer was previously acquired by KKR during the 2018 auction for 9.4 crore rupees.
Gambhir, speaking upon his arrival in Kolkata on Thursday ahead of the new season, expressed confidence that the hefty price tag wouldn’t add any additional pressure on Starc.
“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.
During the two seasons that Starc participated in before, the left-arm pacer managed to secure a total of 34 wickets while representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Thursday marked an emotional homecoming for Gambhir as the former opener returned to the franchise in preparation for the upcoming season. Having served as the mentor of LSG for the past two seasons, Gambhir made the decision to join KKR.
“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 them and make the fans happy,” said Gambhir.
