IPL 2019: 4 Players who could replace Mitchell Starc at KKR 

Mitchell Starc was released by KKR ahead of IPL Auction 2019

The Trading window ahead of IPL 2019 is all set to end today and some teams are releasing players to accommodate the players which they would buy in next month's auction.

The teams who don't have enough money in the bank are looking to trade players to address the team's deficiencies before the trading window closes on 15th November. These teams are keen on buying the required players before the auction rather than relying on auction to get their players, where it might be more expensive.

Kolkata Knight Riders released Mitchell Starc to make way for another pacer who they are probably planning to buy in the auction. The fact that the Australian pacer might not be available for the entire duration of the tournament certainly made their choice a lot easier.

KKR don't have too many star bowlers to choose from in the Auction but they do have a lot of options.

Here is a look at five players who could replace Mitchell Starc in KKR:

#4 Mark Wood

Mark Wood was one of three players released by CSK

Mark Wood is one of those players who has been released by his team and will go back into the auction. He was released by CSK after he didn't have a great last year with the champions. He is looking for a new team this year and Kolkata might want to have a look at him.

Wood has the brilliant ability of bowling toe-crushing yorkers and this is one of the most important attributes for a fast bowler in the shortest format of the game. He has displayed that ability with England and he could do the same in the IPL as well.

Kolkata Knight Riders struggled with death bowling last year as Tom Curran and Vinay Kumar couldn't contain the batsmen in Starc's absence. The inexperienced duo of Prasidh Krishna and Shivam Mavi did their best but the lack of experience was visible. Mark Wood might be the ideal option to be the team's finisher with the ball.

#3 Dale Steyn

Steyn has made a successful comeback to the Proteas limited-overs side

Dale Steyn is one of the all-time greats that the game has seen, and he is always ranked amongst the best bowlers that world has ever produced. He has been a phenomenal servant for the South African team across all formats of the game.

Injury has been the biggest problem for him, especially towards the twilight of his career as he has been injured a number of times and has fought back each time to come back stronger. His latest comeback has been mighty impressive as he has been bowling brilliantly in the series against both Zimbabwe and Australia.

The newly relaid pitch at Kolkata might just be the ground where we see the best of him as he looks to make his IPL comeback. His pace and bounce along with some help from the wicket might just make him unplayable at home.

#2 Sam Curran

Curran is likely to be an incredibly sought-after prospect

Sam Curran is the latest sensation in the cricketing world and is one of the players who could be a hot property in the Auction ahead of IPL 2019. His all-round abilities will be an instant hit with the IPL teams, and he might well end up costing a fortune at the auction.

Curran's performance in the India series was special and it has made everyone in the cricket world take notice of him. His performance against the Indian team might have just earned him a huge contract with an IPL team this year.

Curran is a brilliant all-rounder and has the ability to win the match for his team with both bat and ball. His yorkers are lethal and that would come in handy in the IPL at the death.

KKR already have Tom Curran in the team but are still in the lookout for a fast bowler after releasing Starc and Sam could well be the answer.

#1 Oshane Thomas

The WI fast bowler could be a hot property

Oshane Thomas is another player who has made his name in international cricket after some phenomenal performance against the Indian team. He is another one who might go for a huge price in the next month's IPL Auctions after an impressive showing against the Indian team in their own backyard as he troubled the Indian batsmen with pace and bounce.

He troubled Rohit Sharma in particular with his swing and the pace at which he bowls is a huge plus for any team that buys him in the auction. Thomas bowled well throughout the Indian ODI and T20I series but his best performance came in Eden Gardens in the 1st T20I.

Eden Gardens will be the ideal surface for him to bowl on and the fact that Kolkata needs a tearaway pacer in their side should make this a mutual choice for both parties concerned. Kolkata has the cash in the bank to go after Thomas and if they manage to get him, they are sure to do much better than what they did last time.