Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made an inch-perfect start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign, winning three out of their four matches. The franchise has stuck together as a unit and has shown little concern about its performance after its initial matches.

However, premier Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, roped in by the franchise for INR 24.75 crore, has made a faltering start to his campaign by picking up only two wickets in four matches. But KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir has defended him despite his poor run early in the ongoing season.

“It (his poor stats) doesn’t matter, T20 cricket is all about bowlers getting smashed. We’ve got three wins out of four.” Ahead of their match against Lucknow Super Giants here, Gambhir added, “In a team sport, it’s the wins that matter. We have got three wins out of four. Why should I not be happy with anyone’s performance? See, people have bad and good days, ultimately, it’s the team that needs to win,” Gambhir said in a press conference ahead of KKR’s game against Lucknow at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

“Four games doesn’t make him a bad bowler. And four good games doesn’t make him a brilliant bowler either. So I know that what impact he can create and what impact he will create in the competition,” Gambhir added.

Incidentally, Starc conceded 100 runs in his first two matches without getting a wicket. He, however, came back strongly to pick up two wickets against Delhi Capitals but went wicketless once again in KKR”s last match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).