Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in Australian pacer Matt Kelly as a replacement for the injured South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje for the remainder of the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Right-arm pacer Kelly has played 16 First-Class matches, five List A games, and 12 T20s so far, and hasn't featured in past editions of IPL. The 24-year-old has represented Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.

Nortje, 25, was forced to pull out of what would have been his maiden stint in the IPL after picking up a shoulder injury just ahead of the tournament. However, this wasn't the only injury setback KKR suffered. India's U-19 World Cup-winning pace duo of Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti also pulled out of IPL 2019 after sustaining pre-season injuries. They were replaced by KC Cariappa and Sandeep Warrier.

KKR's injury woes mounted with the man in form Andre Russell sustaining a blow to his hand while batting in their previous fixture, against Chennai Super Kings, on Tuesday (April 9). Russell, though, continued batting and even fielded in KKR's seven-wicket loss at the hands of the defending champions.

Dislodged from the top of the points table after a meek surrender in Chennai, KKR will now take on Delhi Capitals next at the Eden Gardens on Friday (April 12). The Knight Riders are placed second in the points table with four wins in six games thus far, while Capitals are sixth, with three wins and as many losses.