There’s absolutely no issue with Sunil Narine’s action, assures KKR CEO
KKR CEO, Venky Mysore, has clarified that Sunil Narine’s bowling action won’t be a problem after he had talks with IPL authorities about it. He also assured that apart from a replacement for the injured Mitchell Starc, KKR have a good option in his experienced compatriot Mitchell Johnson as well.
Kolkata Knight Riders have found themselves in a plethora of problems ahead of the season. After a not-so-good mega auction saw the two-time IPL champions ending up with the lightest squad in the whole league, they were soon made to regret their move by reports of injuries to Chris Lynn and Andre Russell.
As if that wasn’t enough, it was followed by reports of their prime bowler’s, Sunil Narine, action being questioned during his stint with Pakistan Super League side Lahore Qalandars. However, he was just warned about the questionable
“Narine has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during Wednesday's PSL Twenty20 game between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators at Sharjah," said a Pakistan Cricket Board had released a statement in March.
Narine has been KKR’s go-to bowler for years and last season turned into an explosive opener. He has taken 95 wickets in 82 matches since debuting in the IPL in 2012 with a strike rate of 20.27. Last season, he turned on the heat with the willow as well, where he amassed 224 runs in 16 matches after Lynn’s injury forced him to open the batting alongside Gautam Gambhir.
Hence, the controversy with his bowling action was bound to create a furor back in KKR camp. However, the KKR CEO has now clarified that Narine’s action won’t be a problem in IPL as he had sorted it out with the authorities.
“I had some very good conversation with the IPL, there’s absolutely no issue with Sunil. He’s joined the side, it’s business as usual. No worries there,” Mysore said on the sidelines of a promotional event, reported PTI.
“In 2012, nobody had even heard of Sunil Narine. He came and took IPL by storm. So something like that could happen and I always feel in every adversity there is an opportunity. So there may be someone who can come and surprise us. We are disappointed but not that much.”
Starc’s replacement also remains a huge concern for the team management with less than a week to go for the season. However, Mysore also revealed that the side has found a replacement for the Aussie pacer and would announce it soon.
“We are not yet ready to make the announcement. Protocol demands that the IPL announces it first, hopefully by tomorrow (you will get the name)… We have a very good option in Mitchell Johnson. He has played [in editions before] and won two championships when he has played for teams and he is an outstanding player.
“He bowled well in the Big Bash, he is still fit, and bowling 145kph plus. He is an experienced campaigner, I don’t think we won’t miss him (Starc) initially but we need backup,” he added.
Johnson had been a handy bowler for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League last season and had bagged seven wickets from 10 matches at an average of 36.28. He is expected to be in the starting eleven when KKR take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in their opening fixture on March 8.
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