Starc's replacement leaked even before KKR's official announcement

The right-arm fast bowler is yet to play a match in India and he will play a key-role in leading KKR’s new-ball attack with former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johsnson.

South Africa fast bowlers Junior Dala, Kyle Abbott were also in the race but Curran seems to have won the battle because of current form and experience.

What was KKR’s gain was obviously Surrey’s loss, as Curran is the spearhead of the County side. Stewart, the former England captain who is the director of cricket at Surrey, said: “Losing Tom to the IPL for the first part of the season is not ideal from a Surrey viewpoint but as a club we have a duty to help England and our players in achieving their goals and ambitions.

He made his Test debut during the Ashes last December, and has played two Tests, eight One-Day Internationals and six Twenty20 Internationals for England.

Starc , who was snapped up in the auction for a whopping 9.4 crores by KKR, was ruled out of IPL after suffering an injury to his right leg.

Curran’s age though is not an indicator to his experience as he is considered to be one of the veterans of the format. In 51 T20 matches, Curran has taken 53 wickets at an average of 27.16 and an economy of 8.25.

The two-time IPL champions have picked up the 23-year-old right-arm fast bowler for INR 1 crore.

“I’m thrilled and excited to be joining Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL,” he was quoted as saying by the English county’s website. “I know from chatting to other players I can learn a lot from being in that environment, skills that I hope will benefit Surrey and my chances of representing England again this year and if selected, for next year’s World Cup.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore had stated that they will announce Starc’s replacement on Monday after going through all the formalities but it appears KKR’s choice somehow became public as Curran himself confirmed about the developments.

England fast bowler Tom Curran has bypassed everyone to be picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders as injured Starc’s replacement, reported an English County website.

In what comes as a huge surprise, Mitchell Starc’s replacement for the Kolkata Knight Riders got leaked even before the IPL Governing Council or the franchise itself made any official announcement