Sunil Narine’s Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders has backed him, following his abrupt withdrawal from the West Indies World T20 squad.
Despite being banned from bowling in international cricket last November, the Trinidadian was named in a 15-man squad for the tournament starting in India next month, pending a test on his action at the ICC (International Cricket Council)-accredited Loughborough University in England this month.
Last Friday, however, Narine pulled out of the squad citing the need for more time to work on his action.
Venky Mysore, the CEO of Knight Riders, said they were backing Narine to make a successful return to international cricket despite the latest setback.
“We don’t have any such concerns because he is a champion,” Venky said on Monday.
“His action is one of its kind in the world and what tends to happen is that in a match situation when umpires look at him, it is an unusual action which is what makes him so effective.”
Narine was twice called in the Champions League Twenty20 two years ago and then was forced to undergo a BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India)-approved test before he could play in last year’s IPL.
Narine was again called while representing the West Indies in Sri Lanka and subsequent test showed his action exceeded the legal requirements under ICC regulations. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation on his action with the help of English bowling coach Carl Crowe and Mysore said good progress had been already made.
“He has been working very, very hard. We have been supporting Sunil in all ways possible. I spoke with Carl Crowe and he is not at all concerned about Sunil going for testing and coming out well,” the official pointed out.
“It is about how quickly the modifications he is doing becomes second nature and he can actually go and practice that in match situations, so we have no concerns at all.
“We are happy to have him. I have no doubts he will perform well for us ... the best of Sunil is going to be seen shortly.”
Narine has been Knight Riders' key player for the last four seasons, taking 74 wickets and helping them to the title in 2012 and 2014.
Last year, Knight Riders bought over Caribbean Premier League franchise T&T Red Steel and this year have acquired Narine from Guyana Amazon Warriors. They have also changed the name of the franchise to Trinbago Knight Riders. The new IPL season starts on April 8.
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