Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera will join the Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for England's Gus Atkinson. Chameera has been enlisted at a reserve price of INR 50 Lakh, introducing a seasoned pacer into the KKR squad.
Chameera, familiar with the IPL terrain, has previously showcased his skills with teams such as the Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and the Lucknow Super Giants in 2022, making him a valuable asset for his new team. On the other hand, Gus Atkinson, yet to make his IPL debut, was initially acquired by KKR at the base price of INR 1 Crore during the auction held in December 2023. Despite his potential, Atkinson will not be part of the squad, paving the way for Chameera's entry.
Notably, Chameera, who was available at a base price of INR 50 Lakh in the auction, did not attract bids at that time. However, his experience and recent performances, including participation in the IL20 in UAE and matches against Afghanistan for Sri Lanka, underscore his readiness for the challenge ahead. The pacer's comeback follows a period of recovery from a shoulder injury that sidelined him from the Sri Lankan team for some time last year.