Mitchell Starc silences cricket critics in epic scenes against David Warner in IPL

Mitchell Starc has returned to his wicket-taking ways in the IPL after the Aussie cricket star failed to live up to his $4.4 million contract in his first two outings. The Aussie speedster failed to take a wicket in his first two games for Kolkata Knight Riders, leaving many wondering why the franchise had forked out a record amount to sign him.

Starc went for 0-53 off four and 0-47 off four in his first two outings, but was back taking wickets on Wednesday night. He snared the key scalps of fellow Aussies David Warner (18) and Mitchell Marsh (0), taking 2-25 off three overs as Kolkata thrashed Delhi Capitals by 106 runs.

Starc got Marsh for his first wicket when the Aussie all-rounder slashed a wide delivery straight to point. The left-armer then had Warner chopping onto his stumps to leave Delhi's run chase in dire straights, and said after the game it was "nice to have them (Marsh and Warner) in the pocket".

Starc is playing the IPL for the first time in nine years. The 34-year-old has previously opted to spend the time with wife Alyssa at home in Australia, but with the T20 World Cup just around the corner he decided to end his hiatus this year.

"I'm not trying too much," he said after Wednesday's win. "It's a T20 game, you need a bit of luck. A couple of edges fly away, and a few catches go down as well. The games are coming thick and fast. We are 3-0 at the start of the season. It's a real great thing to start."

Sunil Narine helps Kolkata Knight Riders make IPL history

Sunil Narine had earlier smashed 85 to lead Kolkata to the second-highest total in IPL history, with the Knight Riders making 7-272-7 while batting first. Starc's two wickets then helped Kolkata bowl Delhi out for just 166 in reply.

The Knight Riders' massice score came just a week after Sunrisers Hyderabad posted the highest ever innings total of 3-277. Kolkata, the IPL champions in 2012 and 2014, remain unbeaten from three matches this season after they bowled out Delhi in 17.2 overs to top the 10-team table.

RELATED:

• David Warner to be honoured in move set to divide cricket world

• Ricky Ponting caught up in brutal mid-match drama in IPL

Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant made 55 off 25 balls (his second half-century in a row), and Tristan Stubbs hit 54. But the rest of the Capitals' batting flopped while trying to chase down the historic target.

"Cricket is all about batting, so to contribute with the bat is pleasing but I also enjoy my bowling," Narine said after also taking 1-29 with his spin. "On a good wicket like that, we bowled well and were on the money, so a total team effort from us tonight."

Narine, who is more known for his bowling than batting, opened the innings and tore into the Delhi attack. He hit seven fours and seven sixes in his 39-ball blitz for his highest T20 score in his 501st match.

The 35-year-oldsmashed Delhi seamer Ishant Sharma for 26 runs in one over and brought up his half-centiry in just 21 balls. The West Indian put on 104 runs with teenage debutant Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made 54.

Narine departed in the 13th over to Marsh, but there was no let-up as Andre Russell produced another brutal knock. Russell hammered 41 off just 19 balls, before Rinku Singh threatened to help Kolkata surpass Hyderabad's record total with his 26 off eight balls.

South African quick Anrich Nortje got Rinku at the end of the 19th over and Ishant bowled Russell with a toe-crushing yorker at the start of the 20th, meaning Kolkata fell just short of the all-time record. The Knight Riders' innings featured 18 sixes and 22 fours.

with agencies