Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) received a major boost on Sunday (October 18) as their veteran spinner Sunil Narine was cleared by the Suspect Bowling Action Committee of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020.
Narine's name has been taken off the suspect action warning list, which he had joined after being reported for an illegal action following the match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
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While permitted to bowl in the tournament, the 32-year-old Trinidadian risked being suspended entirely if reported by officiating umpires another time. Hence, not taking any chance, KKR rested the finger-spinner from their last two matches. The team also requested a review of his action by the concerned IPL committee.
Upon studying the action, this committee came to the conclusion that Narine's elbow bend was "within the range of permissible limits". The bowler, however, has been told to continue with the same action that was reviewed.
"KKR requested for an Official Assessment of Mr Narine's action from the IPL Suspect Bowling Action Committee, submitting action footage in slow motion with back and side angles. The Committee carefully reviewed all the deliveries of action footage sent of Mr Narine with the naked eye and has come to the conclusion that the elbow-bend appears to be within the range of permissible limits," stated the IPL media release.
"The Committee also noted that Mr. Narine should reproduce the same action going forward in the IPL 2020 matches as presented to the Committee in the video footage. Mr Narine has now been removed from the IPL Suspect Action Warning List," he added.
Narine had first been reported for a suspect action six years back, the changes made from where have reduced the bowler's effectiveness to an extent. Nevertheless, he is still one of the most important figures for KKR, also being an impactful power-hitter with the bat.
An integral part of KKR's title-winning campaigns in 2012 and 2014, Narine has taken 127 wickets in 116 IPL matches with an economy rate of 6.74.
(Inputs from Cricbuzz)
