Starc ready to change Bangalore fortunes

Mitchell Starc says his knee “feels good” as he prepares to play his first match of the Indian Premier League season tonight.

The paceman, who was sidelined with a minor knee injury after winning the World Cup, was given a short period off to rest and recover following the tournament final.

Quick single: Starc grounded by knee niggle

“I am excited to play some cricket again after a three-week gap,” Starc told iplt20.com after arriving in India on Monday.

“It is nice to be training again with the team and be back in Bangalore with the boys. 

“It would have been nice to be here from the start but I am here now and the knee feels good.” 

The left-armer’s comeback could not come at a better time for Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have suffered successive losses.

Sunday’s loss to Mumbai Indians in particular exposed the chinks in the Royal Challenger’s bowling attack, as the then-winless Indians scored 7-209 against an attack which featured Varun Aaron and David Wiese as the only players with international experience.

Image Id: ~/media/65BBA062AA88436CBB7D5CF7C6B6E9C8Bangalore's Yuzvendra Chahal reacts to a boundary // BCCI

Bangalore’s next challenge is against Chennai Super Kings, who have three wins from four matches and boast one of the stronger batting line-ups in the IPL, featuring the likes of MS Dhoni, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Smith, Faf du Plessis and Dwayne Bravo.

Royal Challengers will be heavily banking on Starc to add muscle to the bowling department, but the 25-year-old said he did not see it as added pressure, instead embracing the challenge.

“I was pretty disappointed not to be here from the start but now I am here and I will try to catch up, pick some wickets when I get the chance,” Starc said.

“I enjoy the challenge and that is why I enjoy bowling in the death as well. 

“It gives me a chance to pull off a win. We may have not fared well in the last two games but you can turn it around pretty quickly in T20 cricket.”

Starc was named man of the tournament at the Cricket World Cup after finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, capturing 22 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.18 and claiming the mantle of No.1-ranked ODI bowler in the process.

Image Id: ~/media/35D99D1A2B86400C93FEFA6D2B368EE5Mitchell Starc celebrates after bowling Brendon McCullum // Getty Images

Starc credited his success over the last 12 months to the work he put in with Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott.

“I have been working with Craig McDermott on a few things like knowing a bit more about my wrist position and trying to get that ball swinging.

“It has been working for me well in the last few months and hopefully it will continue in all the formats.”