IPL 8: Here’s why Kolkata Knight Riders can do without Sunil Narine

Mumbai: In what is being considered as a big blow for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunil Narine, the West Indian is barred from bowling off-spinners during the remainder of the Season Eight of the Indian Premier League.

Considering Narine was an integral part of KKR’s team line-up as they won two IPL titles in space of three years, the possibility of Narine warming up the benches and it negatively affecting the Gautam Gambhir-led unit is not misplaced.

Although his action remains a concern, his IPL record over the years has dipped as well. While the slide was relatively slow till the end of IPL 7, the growth in bowling average is too drastic to ignore.

Read: IPL 8: Sunil Narine’s off-spin now a ‘no ball’

In his first season of IPL in 2012, Narine scalped 24 wickets, averaging 13.50, bowling 59.1 overs in 15 games to power KKR to their first IPL title. While his economy rate dropped a little from 5.47 to 5.46 in 2013, his bowling average and strike rate went a little higher than they were in the earlier season.

As KKR went on to win their second IPL trophy in 2014, Narine grabbed 21 wickets; 3 less than he took in 2012. However, for the first time in three seasons, his economy rate crossed 6/over mark in 64 overs he bowled.

But Narine’s bowling with frequent action modification seems to be gone for a toss. And although the sample size is rather small, the West Indian is clearly struggling to get going. In IPL 8, the tweaker is averaging 73.50 with only 2 wickets in 5 games against his name.

(Photo: Screengrab from the official website of Indian Premier League)

*The figures are updated till KKR's game against CSK on April 28, 2015

Kolkata Knight Riders, although he was cleared to bowl, did not pick Narine in their last game against Chennai Super Kings. They opted for the Australian chinaman bowler Brad Hogg who did a fine job. With Piyush Chawla certain to retain his place in the playing XI, Kolkata Knight Riders would do well to play it safe and pick Hogg over Narine.

Additionally, with Narine’s stock ball is taken out of the equation, the mystery around his bowling would reduce a great deal. And with batsmen now aware of the fact that Narine can only bowl (legally) the knuckle ball and the quicker straight ball in IPL 8, sorting his bowling will be relatively easy for the opposition.

Keeping in mind, this scenario, having Narine in the dug-out instead of in the playing XI may work in favour of Kolkata Knight Riders.