Mitchell Starc, the star fast bowler of Kolkata Knight Riders, was omitted from the starting lineup for the Indian Premier League 2024 fixture against Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
During the toss, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed Starc’s absence, stating, “Starcy sustained a finger injury in the previous match, and Dushmantha Chameera replaces him. We aim to maintain our current form and momentum.”
Mitchell Starc hasn’t had a great performance so far
Kolkata secured Starc for a substantial amount of 24.75 crore, establishing him as the costliest acquisition in IPL history. Despite entering the season with a significant price tag, Starc’s performance has been below expectations. He has claimed six wickets in seven innings, with an economy rate of 11.48, which falls short of the standards expected of a bowler of his calibre.
“What’s pleased me the most this season is that every individual has done well and performed,” Shreyas Iyer said after losing the toss. “Whatever the situation under pressure, and they’re giving their best. Starcy got a cut on his finger in the last game and Dushmantha Chameera comes in. We want to continue the same form and momentum.“
🚨 Toss Update 🚨@PunjabKingsIPL win the toss and elect to bowl against @KKRiders
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/T9DxmbgIWu#TATAIPL | #KKRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/3b5VbVdr2J
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 26, 2024
KKR’s skipper Shreyas Iyer lost the toss and had to bat first
Sam Curran emerged victorious in the pivotal toss, leading Punjab Kings to choose to bowl first against Kolkata Knight Riders in the 42nd IPL 2024 match on Friday. Kolkata made a significant alteration to their lineup by omitting their main pacer Mitchell Starc and substituting him with Dushmantha Chameera.
In the meantime, Punjab Kings made significant adjustments to their starting lineup, as Jonny Bairstow stepped in for English player Liam Livingstone. Spinner Rahul Chahar also entered the playing eleven, resulting in Prabhsimran Singh being moved to the substitutes list.
Playing XI of Kolkata Knight Riders: Shreyas Iyer (c), Philip Salt (wk), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Dushmantha Chameera, Andre Russell, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana.
Playing XI of Punjab Kings: Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shashank Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.
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