Starc was bought for INR 24.75 crore in the 2024 IPL auction, making him the highest-paid cricketer in the league. But, he’s underperformed so far in this season, having taken six wickets and conceded 287 runs. Despite KKR sealing a one-run win over RCB in their most recent game, he’s not part of their XI against Punjab.

Why is Mitchell Starc not in KKR’s XI vs PBKS?

Skipper Shreyas Iyer cited a finger injury as the reason for Starc’s absence at Eden Gardens on Friday. “Starcy got a cut on his finger in the last game,” he confirmed.

Dushmantha Chameera, who replaced Gus Atkinson in KKR ahead of the season, was named in the XI instead. The Sri Lanka player, making his debut for the franchise, received his KKR cap from Starc himself.

Also Read: Will Mitchell Starc’s indifferent IPL form force KKR to make a big call?

Starc, who has been KKR’s most expensive bowler this season, conceding 11.48 runs in seven games, cut his finger with his shoe spikes during the last game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in his first over. There was a prolonged delay during the second over of RCB’s innings on Sunday, with Starc requiring medical attention. He continued bowling with a heavily taped finger and did not have the most memorable outing, conceding 55 runs in three overs, including 19 in the last over of the innings

While the rules allowed him to continue bowling with a taped finger against RCB as he got injured during the clash, he is not permitted to take part and bowl in a fresh game with a taped hand, as confirmed by Kevin Pietersen on commentary.

RCB, needing 21 for a win in the last six deliveries, were brought back in the clash after Karn Sharma, with an IPL strike rate of 119.79, hit Starc for three sixes in the first four balls. KKR ended up winning by one run.

Starc has a bowling average of 47.83 this season – the highest among all KKR bowlers – and has taken six wickets, the fewest.