"KKR is family to me," Sunil Narine wants to be part of any tournament where franchise has a team

Narine also called India as his second home.

Narine also represents Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL | AFP

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine has on Tuesday (May 26) expressed his love for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), saying he would love to play in any tournament around the globe where the franchise has a team.

The 32-year-old, who has been playing for KKR since 2012, also represents the Trinbago Knight Riders owned by KKR's parent company in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Read Also: Manoj Tiwary feels insulted as KKR didn’t tag him in their 2012 IPL victory post

Calling KKR a family, Narine further said the way franchise’s owners and management make players comfortable and give home feel apart from fans' love that all made India his second home.

Narine told KKR's official website on Tuesday: “Any tournament around the globe where Knight Riders have a team, I'd wanna be a part of it. It's not about the money or the friendships, it's like a family to me. Once they are there, I would love to be a part of that team.”

He further added, “The way they welcome you in India, with arms wide open. It's like they already know you as a human being - what you don't like, what you like. They try to make you comfortable. Every year, when I am leaving for India (for the IPL), it's like I am leaving for my second home.”

Read Also: T20 World Cup to be deferred to 2022 during ICC board meeting; IPL can be held in October: Report

Saying playing in the IPL is the closest it gets for him to play at home, the spinner is missing being in the IPL actions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Narine signed off by saying, “The closest thing to feel at home playing in the CPL, is the IPL. To me it's not just friendships, it's like a family. (I am) missing the excitement of the IPL, the fans, the loved ones watching you perform. Whether it is 4 o'clock in the morning (in Trinidad), or 12 o'clock, they (are always) looking forward, that's something I'm missing a lot.”

Noteworthy, the West Indian, who has been one of the most economical spinners in the IPL history, has played 110 matches for KKR and managed 122 wickets at 23.31 so far.

(With IANS Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 27 May, 2020

    Share Via