IPL 2020: Sunil Narine returns after remodeling bowling action

IPL 2020: Sunil Narine returns after remodeling bowling action
Sunil Narine

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Sunil Narine returned to cricketing action after being reported for suspect action. Narine played a crucial role in the death overs in KKR’s match against Kings XI Punjab on October 10. His wily mystery spin choked Glenn Maxwell in the final over to help KKR defeat KXIP by 2 runs.

KKR then released a statement saying that they are both ‘surprised’ and ‘respectful’ of the Indian Premier League’s decision to report Narine for suspect bowling action.

Any other report of suspected bowling action by Sunil Narine would lead to suspension was the warning of the IPL. The press release said, ”Another report will result in Mr. Narine being suspended from bowling in the Dream11 IPL 2020 until cleared by the BCCI Suspect Bowling Action Committee.”

Following the warning, Narine was dropped from the KKR line-up for the next few matches during which he worked on his action. He was then picked for KKR’s match against DC today where he shone with the bat scoring 64 off 32 balls. He wasn’t as effective with the ball however, as he went wicketless.

Narine’s remodeled action

Sunil Narine

In KKR’s match against DC, Narine’s action was nothing like fans and pundits had witnessed from the West Indian before. He delivered balls in a completely different fashion especially with regard to his bowling hand. His action seemed stiff and mechanical. His right-hand showed no signs of movement as he started out by hiding his bowling hand behind his back before delivering in one straight action.

This remodeled action grabbed a lot of eyeballs as fans called his new action ‘weird’. While it certainly didn’t seem to work for him today, it remains to be seen if Narine will continue with this action going forward into the tournament.

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