Cricket

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have replaced Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc with Sri Lankan seamer Dushmantha Chameera for their match against Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens on Friday. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer revealed at the toss that Starc had sustained a finger injury during their previous encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).Starc's IPL campaign with KKR has been underwhelming so far. Despite being acquired for a record sum of INR 24.75 crore (USD 2.98 million approx.) at the auction, he has managed only six wickets while conceding runs at an alarming rate of 11.48 per over.In the match against RCB, Starc was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the final over, tasked with defending 21 runs. However, he was ruthlessly targeted by No. 9 batsman Karn Sharma, who smashed three sixes off his bowling. Starc eventually managed to take a return catch to seal the victory, but his figures of 1 for 55 from three overs were far from impressive.This was the third time this season that Starc has conceded 50 or more runs in a game, including the second consecutive match. His best performance came against Lucknow Super Giants in a day game at Eden Gardens, where he claimed three wickets and conceded only 28 runs.Starc is making his return to the IPL after an eight-year hiatus. His last appearance in the tournament was in 2015 for RCB, where he took 20 wickets at an economy rate of 6.76.In an interview ahead of the match against Kings, Starc did not mention his finger injury. Instead, he spoke about his return to the IPL and the lessons he has learned from the experience."Coming back, obviously a different team to where I was last in the IPL, so getting to meet a lot of the guys I have played against a little bit... Some younger guys in the KKR squad, getting to know a few of the younger bowlers," he said. "There's a lot of talent around with bat and ball.""I'm getting to know how these guys go about it and learn from them as well, and try and answer any questions they've got. I've come back an older player than when I was last in the IPL, but it's a lot of fun."For Chameera, this will be his first appearance of the season. It is his second stint in the IPL, having played for RCB in 2022.

KKR vs PBKS Live Score: Punjab Kings Face Pressure, Starc Under SpotlightKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Punjab Kings have struggled for consistency this season, despite promising performances from Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. Their playoff hopes are fading, while KKR aims to improve their bowling unit's efficiency.Mitchell Starc, KKR's star bowler, will be under pressure to justify his hefty price tag of USD 3 million. The Australian pacer has been inconsistent so far, and KKR will rely on him to lead their bowling attack against a formidable Punjab Kings batting lineup.Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will be desperate to turn their fortunes around. They have a talented squad, including Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, and Kagiso Rabada. However, they have failed to perform as a unit, often losing crucial matches at key moments.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes. KKR will be looking to consolidate their position in the top four, while Punjab Kings will be fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have rediscovered their winning form under the guidance of their mentor and former captain, Gautam Gambhir. All-rounder Ramandeep Singh attributed the team's success to Gambhir's leadership and clarity in defining roles."There is a lot of clarity about the roles. The team is performing so well only because of him. He is backing everyone," said Ramandeep.KKR currently sits second in the Indian Premier League (IPL) standings with five wins in seven matches. The team's resurgence has been marked by consistent performances from its players, including Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, and Varun Chakravarthy.Ramandeep dismissed concerns about the fitness of star bowler Mitchell Starc, stating that the Australian is available for selection. "Yes, he is available. It has got to do with his workload management," he said.Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will continue to play without their captain, Shikhar Dhawan, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury. Bowling coach Sunil Joshi said Dhawan is on the road to recovery and is expected to be fit for the next match against Chennai Super Kings.In Dhawan's absence, all-rounder Sam Curran will continue to lead the Punjab Kings. The team has struggled in the IPL so far, winning only two of their seven matches.

Mitchell Starc, the Australian fast bowler, has been underperforming for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite his hefty price tag of $3 million, Starc has failed to justify his worth, raising concerns about his form and the team's bowling unit.KKR, currently second in the 10-team table, has relied heavily on its top-order batting, with Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Andre Russell, and Shreyas Iyer leading the charge. However, the bowling department has been a cause for concern, with Starc's underwhelming performance being a major factor.In seven matches, Starc has managed only six wickets at an economy rate of 11.48, the worst among KKR's specialist bowlers. His lack of pace and reluctance to bowl slower deliveries have made him vulnerable to batsmen, especially in the death overs.In contrast, uncapped Indian pacers Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora have impressed with their economy rates of 9.25 and 9.57, respectively. However, they have also been hit at times, highlighting the need for a more consistent bowling performance from KKR.Against a power-hitting Punjab Kings side, KKR's bowling unit will need to step up. Starc, in particular, will have to rediscover his mojo and play a leading role alongside Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, who have been effective in the middle overs.Punjab Kings, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency in their batting. Despite having talented players like Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Rilee Rossouw, and Jonny Bairstow, they have failed to deliver consistently.However, their uncapped duo of Ashutosh and Shashank have salvaged the team from precarious situations with their astonishing power-hitting. The return of skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who is nursing a shoulder injury, would be a major boost to their morale.The match between KKR and Punjab Kings promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams looking to improve their fortunes in the IPL. KKR will rely on their top-order batting and bowling unit, while Punjab Kings will hope to exploit KKR's bowling weaknesses and find their rhythm in the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continue to await a significant impact from their star signing, Mitchell Starc, halfway through the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite being acquired for a hefty Rs 24.74 crore at the auction, the Australian pacer has struggled to contain opposition batters.KKR team mentor Gautam Gambhir initially expressed confidence in Starc's abilities, stating that he would soon make an impact. However, three games later, Starc's performance has raised concerns about his suitability as a death-over bowler, a role KKR had envisioned for him.In the recent match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Starc conceded 55 runs in three overs, including 21 in the final over. While he managed to defend the target thanks to a reflex catch, his economy rate of over 18 has fallen short of expectations.KKR's former skipper, Nitish Rana, had emphasized the team's need for a death-over specialist, which prompted them to pursue Starc. However, after seven matches, the team may be reconsidering their decision.Fellow KKR pacer Harshit Rana suggested that Starc's struggles may stem from his inability to adjust to the flat Indian wickets, where slower deliveries are more effective. Starc's lack of variation in pace has made him vulnerable to batsmen.KKR CEO Venky Mysore remains optimistic about Starc's potential, stating that his presence adds value to the team. However, the pacer's confidence could be affected by his recent performances, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching.Starc's struggles have raised questions about his decision to participate in the IPL, given his absence from the tournament since 2015. Some speculate that his aim was to prepare for the World Cup, but his current form may hinder his chances of making a significant impact.With several games remaining in the IPL, Starc still has an opportunity to prove his worth. However, he will need to adapt his bowling style and regain his confidence to justify KKR's hefty investment.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harshit Rana has expressed unwavering confidence in star fast bowler Mitchell Starc, despite his recent struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Starc conceded 55 runs in three overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday, but Rana believes the 34-year-old speedster will bounce back."It's his own plan. Every bowler takes the field with a plan. He is a top bowler and someday, he will win us games. We are not worried about him. We have full faith in him," Rana said in the post-match press conference.Rana identified the 12th over of RCB's run-chase as the turning point in the match. Andre Russell dismissed Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar in quick succession, while Sunil Narine removed Cameron Green and Mahipal Lomror in the following over."The over from Andre Russell was the turning point in the game where he took two wickets. In the last five overs, our bowlers did exceptionally, did not give away enough runs. That was the phase we played really well," Rana added.KKR's victory over RCB propelled them to second place in the IPL standings with five wins and two losses. RCB, on the other hand, remained at the bottom of the table with just one win and seven losses.Rana praised Starc's composure in the final over, when Karn Sharma blasted three huge sixes off the Australian. Starc held his nerve and helped KKR secure a thrilling one-run victory."He is a bowler who can help the Knights win games," Rana said of Starc. "We have full faith in him."

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) management has expressed unwavering support for their star acquisition, Mitchell Starc, despite his underwhelming performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. KKR's managing director and CEO, Venky Mysore, emphasized that the team does not view Starc as an "investment" but rather as a valuable asset.Starc, who was purchased for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, has struggled to make an impact in the shortest format. However, Mysore believes that Starc's presence alone adds a different dynamic to the team. He highlighted the specific skills that the support staff sought in Starc, which they believe he possesses.Despite conceding 100 runs without taking a wicket in his first two matches, Starc managed to salvage some pride by taking a crucial catch to seal a dramatic one-run victory for KKR. Mysore acknowledged that every player experiences ups and downs, and he remains confident in Starc's abilities.KKR's resurgence this season has been attributed to the return of former captain Gautam Gambhir as a mentor. Mysore praised Gambhir's intensity and experience, which have added significant weight to the team. He also commended the winning attitude of Gambhir and head coach Chandrakant Pandit, along with the support staff's contributions.With five wins from seven matches, KKR is currently placed second in the IPL standings. Mysore expressed satisfaction with the team's consistency and balance, while acknowledging that several factors have contributed to their success.

Mitchell Starc's Light-Hearted Moment with Yuzvendra Chahal Steals the ShowBefore the highly anticipated clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, fans witnessed a heartwarming moment between KKR's Mitchell Starc and RR's Yuzvendra Chahal.In a video that quickly went viral, Starc effortlessly lifted Chahal, showcasing the camaraderie between players who represent different nations at the international level of cricket. The light-hearted moment provided a glimpse into the friendly rivalry and respect that exists among players despite their on-field battles.Starc, who was acquired by KKR for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore at the IPL 2024 auction, has had a mixed performance in the ongoing season. Despite his impressive pace and swing, he has managed only five wickets from seven matches.On the other hand, Chahal has been in excellent form for RR, claiming 12 wickets from seven games. His exceptional bowling performances have placed him second on the list of highest wicket-takers in IPL 2024.In the KKR vs RR match at the iconic Eden Gardens, Rajasthan achieved the IPL's most significant run chase, defeating the Shreyas Iyer-led side by two wickets. KKR, batting first, relied on Sunil Narine's remarkable 56-ball 109 to reach 223/6. However, RR faced a tough challenge during their innings until Jos Buttler's explosive unbeaten 60-ball 107 guided them to victory on the final ball of the match.The match was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the IPL, where even the most formidable teams can be defeated by underdogs. It also highlighted the importance of teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure.

Mitchell Starc, the star pacer of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has endured a disappointing start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Despite KKR shelling out a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore to acquire his services, Starc has failed to justify his hefty price tag.In the first six matches of IPL 2024, Starc has managed a meager five wickets at an economy rate of 10.54. In four of those games, he has remained wicketless. His performance has drawn criticism from former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, who believes Starc has not lived up to expectations."I would assume that Mitchell Starc, especially at that price, hasn't really hit the nail on its head," Bishop said on ESPNcricinfo. "He got three wickets last game but tonight (Tuesday) again he would have been hoping to step up."Bishop pointed out specific instances where Starc's bowling lacked precision and strategy. "There was this one over, where he was going wide, wide, wide. When you need sixes, I think it's a good plan. Then you talk about backing yourself - of course there was that five wides, and the short ball which he got hooked for when there was nobody at square, instead of sticking with the wides and make Buttler hit the ball over that side."Former New Zealand star Mitchell McClenaghan, who has played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, believes Starc is struggling to adapt to the defensive style of bowling required on Indian tracks."Two overs in a row, we are talking about the first ball. He has tried to bowl the slower ball, and I think he was trying to bowl a wide slower ball. When you are bowling on these pressure situations, that first ball goes out of the park. And that is a good momentum-starter for the batter," McClenaghan said."He is also learning because the game is changing. IPL is a different beast as compared to international cricket. The grounds are so much smaller. Even mishits go for six. I think he is learning to bowl a lot more defensively on Indian grounds."Starc's poor form has raised concerns for KKR, who are desperate for a turnaround in their fortunes. The team has lost four of their first six matches and is currently languishing near the bottom of the points table.