Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have finalised the signing of Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera as a replacement for the initially recruited Gus Atkinson. Atkinson, the 26-year-old English pacer, withdrew from the IPL 2024 tournament. This meant Chameera who had gone unsold at the auction, will now join the two-time champions for his base price of Rs 50 lakh.
Chameera, aged 32, comes with prior IPL experience, having been part of teams like Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Known for his express pace, often exceeding 140kph, Chameera showcased his skills in his recent T20 outing, where he claimed 2 for 20 in four overs for Dubai Capitals against Abu Dhabi, the sister franchise of Knight Riders that takes part in UAE's ILT20.
England's Gus Atkinson Withdraws From IPL 2024
Gus Atkinson, who was set to make his IPL debut with KKR, has withdrawn from the tournament. The England fast bowler, having played three games for England at the World Cup in India, has had a busy schedule, including a white-ball tour in the Caribbean and his ongoing participation in the Test series in India. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is actively managing Atkinson's schedule after a strenuous winter season.
On the other hand, Chameera, with 12 IPL games under his belt, has a track record of nine wickets at an economy rate of 8.73. He adds depth to the Knight Riders' pace attack, with Mitchell Starc being the only other overseas frontline quick in the squad. Starc made headlines at the auction, securing a record INR 24.75 crore.
The IPL 2024 season is slated to take place between March 22 and the end of May, with the final schedule pending confirmation based on the polling dates for India's general elections by the Election Commission. Stay tuned for more updates as the excitement builds for another thrilling IPL edition.