In a major blow for KKR, their Aussie pace bowler Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of IPL 2018 due to tibial bone stress in his right leg. The bowler will miss the last test match at Johannesburg and will return home for some thorough examination.
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This will come as a body blow for KKR, who are already sweating on the fitness of Russell and Lynn. While both players are expected to play the tournament, both Lynn and Russell are likely to pick up an injury at some point in the tournament.
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KKR’s team is heavily reliant on their four overseas stars in Lynn, Russell, Narine and Starc. Injuries have plagued these four for some time though, which is why the Kolkata franchise took a big risk in building their team around these four.
Mitchell Johnson should be the ideal candidate to replace Starc, although he himself is recovering from an injury that he picked up a few weeks back.
Starc will now head back home and miss his third consecutive IPL in a row. There are many people who believe that Starc has not achieved the heights that he should have after the 2015 World Cup.
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The Aussie pacer was sensational in that tournament, as he led the Aussies to a famous World Cup triumph. Unfortunately for Starc, his body has not supported him in the years that followed, as he is no longer a sure bet to play the entire course of a season.
After a brilliant Ashes series, Starc bowled his heart out in the ongoing test series against South Africa, which eventually put too much strain on his fragile body.
And it looks like KKR are facing the brunt of it!
