Dushmantha Chameera replaces star overseas KKR pacer ahead of IPL 2024

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is just a month away. The rich-cash league auction took place in December 2023 and the auction saw some bids gone over 20 crore INR for the first time. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins became the highest-paid and second-highest players in the history of the IPL. Starc was bidded a price of 24.75 crore INR to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Aussie pacer will wear purple and gold after an intense battle between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and KKR. 

The two-time IPL champions have not performed as per the expectations in recent times. The Knights will be hoping to get back their glory days as they appointed Gautam Gambhir as their mentor, the former KKR captain has given the side their best times from 2011 to 2017. The team has made some good additions to their squad. 

They also picked Gus Atkinson to their side, but the English pace has been replaced by Sri Lankan speedster Dushmantha Chameera. The Sri Lanka pacer will join KKR at a reserve price of INR 50 Lakh. He also will be happy working with Gambhir once again. 

Chameera has a bag of experience in the IPL

Chameera has experience playing in the toughest T20 league in the world. He is known for his pace, and can trouble the batters with his swing and seam movements, was a part of Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2018 and 2021 IPL seasons, respectively. He represented Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 season, where he picked up nine wickets from 12 matches. But his injury might be a concern as he has been an injured player in the past. 

No reason was provided for Atkinson's withdrawal, it is similar to the case of Mark Wood. It was however reported in the English media that the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) had pulled the player out of the tournament to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.