KKR vs PBKS IPL 2024: Who can replace Mitchell Starc for KKR?

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Two-time-champion Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns with Punjab Kings at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday (April 26).

This season KKR started with three consecutive wins but in the last four matches, they have won just two of them. Despite having a strong bowling squad with an in-form batting line-up KKR have struggled to defend their totals in the last few matches. Poor bowling performances in the death overs are the main reason for that.

IPL 2024 KKR vs PBKS: Why Mitchell Starc should be Replaced?

Despite the very high price tag Starc has failed to reciprocate the same on the field. In the seven matches, Starc bagged only six wickets but conceded 287 runs. The only noteworthy performance from him this year was against LSG, as the Aussie fast bowler scalped three LSG batters against 28 runs. Starc has failed to fulfil the duty of leading the Knight pace battery as the only veteran pacer of the squad.

In the match against RR, Starc gave away 50 runs in four overs and failed to pick up any wickets. In the last match against RCB, he made the situation difficult for KKR by costing 18 runs in the first four balls while defending 20 runs in the last over.

IPL 2024: Who can replace Mitchell Starc in KKR Playing XI?

Chetan Sakariya: The Gujarat-born left-arm medium-fast bowler could be a good replacement for the Australian left-arm pacer. This would also clear the spot for another overseas player in the squad. But if he is included in the squad as the third Indian pacer then the only experienced pacer will be Andre Russel, who has bowled 5 overs in the last few matches. The 26-year-old has played 19 matches in IPL and picked 20 wickets so far.

Dushmantha Chameera: The Srilankan 32-year-old fast bowler is capable of bowling consistently at speeds over 140 kph. The right-arm fast bowler might not have enough exposure in IPL but has plenty of experience in T20 International. Chameera will also be able to provide the necessary maturity in the comparatively young pace squad of KKR.

Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar: The 17-year-old Afghan off-spinner joined the Knights as a replacement for Mujeeb Ur Rahman. As the pitch of Eden Gardens still favours the spinners he will be a surprise element for the opponent batters in the match against PBKS.

The match against PBKS and DC will be crucial for KKR because after that most of the matches will be far from home. The only home game will be with MI, against whom the Knights have a horrendous history.

Hence, in this vital point, the Knights should go for alternate options they have in their pace battery instead of relying again on the big name like Mitchell Starc. A break for two to three matches might prove to be beneficial for Starc also. As for now, if he gets replaced, Dushmantha Chameera will be the best alternative.