IPL 2018: Mitchell Starc ruled out of the tournament

Mitchell Starc has been prone to injuries throughout his career owing to which he has missed several tournaments. He has undoubtedly been one of the leading fast bowlers in world cricket, however, staying fit has been a massive roadblock to what has been a topsy-turvy career for the New South Wales-born fast bowler.

The left-arm pacer was set to take part for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. However, as per reports in cricket.com.au, the seamer has been ruled out of the eleventh season of the tournament because of an injury. He has a bone stress in his right leg and has subsequently, been ruled out of the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

The massive jolt for the Knight Riders

The cricketer faced injury concerns on the eve of the third Test in Cape Town and subsequently, didn’t bowl in the nets. Meanwhile, the decision comes as a body blow for the Knights as he was among their gun bowlers for the event. The franchise went all out for Starc and bagged him for a whopping INR 9.40 crores in the auction in Bangalore.

Despite the injury, Mitchell Starc has shown stupendous form in the ongoing Test series against the Proteas. He played three games at Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town, and has been able to dictate terms to Faf du Plessis’ men. He has notched 12 wickets in three games and has been the only Aussie bowler with a five-wicket haul in the controversially-marred series.

Meanwhile, the Knight Riders are in with a tough challenge ahead of them as they search for the appropriate replacement of the tall and lanky Australian bowler. Starc has been phenomenal with the leather in every format and would have been a handy prospect for the Knights in the upcoming season.

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