IPL 2024 Mitchell Starc Dropped From Kolkata Knight Riders Team Against Punjab Kings Here Is The Reason

Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata: There was fear. That finally came true. The 24 crore 75 lakh pacer lost his place from the first eleven of Kolkata Knight Riders. Mitchell Starc was not kept in the team of KKR (KKR vs PBKS) against Punjab Kings. His name is not even in the list of impact players.

Half an hour left for the toss at Eden Gardens on Friday. The night cricketers are playing on one side of the field. KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir was seen gathering all the team’s cricketers and the rest of the support staff. The team huddled and handed over the KKR cap to Sri Lankan pacer Dushmanta Chamira. It was then understood that Stark was probably about to fall.

Still, everyone waited to see if Stark’s name was on the team list. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer said after the toss that Starc is not playing. In his words, ‘Starkey’s (nickname of the Australian pacer in the team) finger was cut in the previous match. That wound did not heal. That’s why he can’t play.’ However, it is not possible to swear that Stark dropped out, or really burned his forehead due to injury.

Starc was bought by KKR for a record price last December. Knight camp took Australia’s star pacer to the team for 24 crore 75 lakhs. But Stark could not live up to expectations. Played 7 matches and took only 6 wickets. He is spending about 11 and a half runs per over. The KKR team management thought that Starc would be bowled regularly in the death overs. Gautam Gambhir, Chandrakant Pandits thought that the combination of swing and speed would leave the opposition batsmen breathless.

But the reality shows a different picture. In the previous match, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s tail-ender Karn Sharma almost defeated KKR by hitting three consecutive sixes in the last over. Since then, there have been demands to install Stark. In that match, Starc injured his finger after being caught by Karn Sharma on his own ball. Did he drop out because of that injury, or is there another figure?

Get your favorite news and updates on your favorite chatting platform, WhatsApp. Join ABP Ananda Whatsapp Channel.