Image Credit- BCCI
Dushmantha Chameera, a fast bowler from Sri Lanka, has
joined the Kolkata Knight Riders to replace Gus Atkinson, who was acquired by
the team for INR 1 crore (about $120,000) at the IPL 2024 auction in December
of last year.
After not finding a buyer at the auction, Chameera will now sign with KKR for
his starting salary of INR 50 lakh (about USD 60,000). The 32-year-old has
previously played for the Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore,
and Rajasthan Royals. In his most recent T20 match, Chameera—who can reach
speeds of over 140 kph—scored 2 for 20 in his four overs for Dubai Capitals
against Abu Dhabi, the UAE affiliate of Knight Riders in the ILT20.
The 26-year-old fast bowler from England, Atkinson,
was scheduled to make his IPL debut. However, he has withdrew from the
competition, with the ECB handling his schedule following a lengthy winter
away. After representing England in three World Cup matches held in India,
Atkinson left the country in December to go on a white-ball tour of the
Caribbean before coming back to compete in the ongoing Test series between
England and the Caribbean.
With 12 IPL games under his belt, Chameera has claimed nine wickets at an
economy rate of 8.73. The only other overseas frontline fast in the Knight
Riders lineup is Mitchell Starc. At the auction, Starc was purchased for a
record INR 24.75 crore (about USD 2.98 million).
The definitive schedule for the 2024 Indian Premier
League will be revealed when the Election Commission has decided the polling
dates for India’s general elections. The league is expected to play between
March 22 and the end of May.