Sam Curran's 3 most expensive spells in T20s ft. KKR vs PBKS IPL 2024
England's Sam Curran endured a difficult outing during the first T20I against Australia in Southampton on Wednesday, September 11. The left-arm pacer was mercilessly welcomed into the attack by Travis Head in the powerplay. The in-form opener smashed 30 runs off the all-rounder with the aid of three fours and three sixes.
Curran was not brought back into the attack until the 17th over, where he made amends by conceding only five runs and accounting for Josh Inglis' wicket. Despite his comeback, his figures read a dismal 1-35 off two overs. To make matters worse, he could not contribute much during the run chase, departing after scoring 18 runs off 15 deliveries as England lost the series opener.
Curran's inconsistencies with the ball have been highlighted in the past. He has been credited as a smart bowler, using his variations well, and capable of bowling across all stages of the innings, particularly the death. However, he has leaked runs at times, affecting his reliability factor.
On that note, let us take a look at Sam Curran's 3 most expensive spells in T20 cricket.
#1 KKR vs PBKS (1-60; Eden Gardens, IPL 2024)
The 2024 IPL encounter between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) might evoke mixed memories in Sam Curran's mind. On one hand, he led the team to the highest run chase in IPL history, scaling down the 262-run target with eight balls to spare.
However, while being hit for a mammoth total by KKR, Curran also suffered heavily. He ended up with his most expensive bowling figures in the shortest format, conceding 60 runs in fours with the wicket of Phil Salt.
The all-rounder was among the best bowlers for his side, considering the overall carnage. However, his figures took a turn for the worse following an onslaught by Shreyas Iyer in the 18th over. The KKR skipper scored four boundaries in a row, including three sixes to close out a forgettable spell for Curran.
#2 CSK vs KKR (1-58; Wankhede Stadium, IPL 2021)
Sam Curran's spell against KKR during IPL 2021 was one of two halves. Defending a 221-run target, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were placed comfortably after reducing the opposition to 31-5 inside the powerplay itself.
However, a lower-order fightback saw Andre Russell score a ruthless fifty while Dinesh Karthik chipped in with a cameo. The Caribbean all-rounder was the biggest threat, and an inspired delivery by Curran saw him being bowled around his legs. He had only conceded 11 runs off his first 10 deliveries, and with Russell back in the pavilion, CSK were headed for a comfortable win.
However, Curran was smashed for 30 runs by Pat Cummins in his next over, including four sixes, which kept KKR alive in the contest. The left-arm seamer was assigned the penultimate over where he conceded only seven runs, but the damage to his bowling figures was already done.
#3 CSK vs KKR (0-56; Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi; IPL 2021)
Curran's nightmare opponents KKR feature for a third time in a row as the all-rounder conceded 56 runs in the reverse fixture during IPL 2021. In the second leg of the season, CSK faced KKR in a day encounter in Abu Dhabi.
Batting first KKR put on 171-6, with Curran being the most expensive bowler on show. The England international conceded 16 runs more than the next expensive bowler in the lineup and was particularly taken apart by Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik.
Curran could not make up things with the bat, scoring only a run-a-ball four. Luckily, his poor display did not prove costly as Ravindra Jadeja's heroics helped CSK win the clash on the last ball.