Tom Curran: “I’m thrilled and excited to be joining Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

The Kolkata Knight Riders have signed England and Surrey all-rounder Tom Curran as a replacement for Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Starc was ruled out of the tournament after being diagnosed with a tibial bone stress fracture in his right leg.

Curran, who has represented England in two Tests, eight ODIs and six Twenty20 Internationals, went unsold at the IPL auction in January at his base price of INR 1 crore, but the Knight Riders signed him for INR 1.62 crores.

“I’m thrilled and excited to be joining Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL,” Curran told Surrey’s website. “I know from chatting to other players I can learn a lot from being in that environment, skills that I hope will benefit Surrey and my chances of representing England again this year and if selected, for next year’s World Cup.

“I want to thank Alec Stewart and everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club for supporting my ambitions and allowing me this great opportunity. I can’t wait to represent Surrey again when I return, hopefully with a few more tricks up my sleeve.”

Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart added: “Losing Tom to the IPL for the first part of the season is not ideal from a Surrey viewpoint but as a club we have a duty to help England and our players in achieving their goals and ambitions.

“The experience he will gain through playing in the IPL can only help develop his game which in turn will give England a greater chance of winning the 2019 World Cup. His absence from the Surrey team will allow other players on our staff to stand up, perform and grab their opportunity.”