KKR vs PBKS: Revealed - Why is Mitchell Starc not playing today's IPL 2024 match and who has replaced him?

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be eyeing another win tonight against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Eden Gardens to bolster their playoff chances.

With five wins from seven games, KKR are currently at the second spot in the points table and look destined for the playoffs. PBKS, on the other hand, have struggled this season and their playoff chances are hanging by a thread. The Punjab-based outfit is currently languishing at the ninth spot in the points table with just two wins from eight games.

And while KKR will be looking for another win tonight, they will have to do it with their fast-bower Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer was unavailable for the game, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer confirmed at the toss. Sri Lanka pacer Dushmantha Chameera has replaced Mitchell Starc in the KKR playing eleven for the game against PBKS.

Iyer revealed that Starc missed out due to a cut on his finger that he suffered while bowling in the last game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Starc's injury has given Chameera the opportunity to play his first game for KKR this season. Chameera was signed by KKR as Gus Atkinson's replacement before the start of the season. In the last IPL season, he had plied his trade for Lucknow Super Giants.

"We've had different players stepping up at different times, that's the thing I'm pleased about this season. Starcy got a cut on his finger in the last game, Dushmantha Chameera replaces him. Need a great start and then convert it into a big score, hoping to continue the same form and momentum," said Iyer.

Mitchell Starc in IPL 2024:

Mitchell Starc has struggled to make an impact in the ongoing season and has failed to justify his huge price tag so far. Not only has he struggled to pick up wickets but has also failed to maintain a good economy-rate. In seven games, he has picked up six wickets while maintaining an economy-rate of 11.48.

Meanwhile, PBKS have won the toss and opted to bowl first against KKR.

Playing XIs:

KKR:

Philip Salt(w), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Dushmantha Chameera, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana

PBKS:

Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran(c), Rilee Rossouw, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh