For weeks, his price tag was a punchline.
₹11.75 crore. That’s what Delhi Capitals shelled out for Mitchell Starc at the IPL auction—making him their second-most expensive buy. The skeptics didn’t hold back. “Too expensive.” “Past his prime.” “Not worth it.” But under the floodlights at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday night, Starc didn’t just respond—he rewrote the narrative.
In a dramatic clash against Rajasthan Royals, the match soared into a Super Over. And when the pressure peaked, Delhi turned to Starc. With the game on the line, he delivered an electric six-ball spell that left the Royals stunned. Riyan Parag fell for 4. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed on the very first ball. Rajasthan limped to 11/2.
The crowd roared. Social media erupted. And then came a voice that sealed the moment—Dale Steyn, one of cricket’s greatest fast bowlers, posted just one line on X:
“That’s why you pay him the big bucks.”
No overanalysis. No debate. Just truth.
Starc’s performance wasn’t just about wickets—it was about composure, confidence, and command. And as if his spell wasn’t dramatic enough, DC made sure to finish the job in style. Chasing 12 runs, they did it in just four deliveries, wrapping up the match with breathtaking ease.
That’s what turned Starc’s spell from impressive to iconic.
In just one over, the Aussie left-armer flipped every conversation around his value. He showed that when it comes to high-pressure moments, experience, skill, and mentality matter more than memes or hot takes.
You don’t always pay a player for quantity. Sometimes, you pay them for quality in the biggest moments.
And Mitchell Starc just gave Delhi the kind of moment money can buy—a match-winner under pressure, and a reminder that class never goes out of style.
