The Kolkata Knight Riders franchise has been a struggling side this season. Given that their management has faced criticism for making such shocking changes to their playing XI this time around. From Sticking to Sunil Narine despite his repetitive failures as an opener to asking Rahul Tripathi to bat down the order at 7 after scoring a healthy knock of 81 couple of matches prior.
One man Kolkata Knight Riders have relied upon ever since 2012 hasn’t really clicked this season. Whether its Narine’s batting or bowling the Caribbean southpaw has had a disappointing run this season for the KKR side. Moreover, after the match against Kings XI Punjab, Narine’s action was reported by the on-field umpires which resulted in him getting dropped in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Not Sure If Sunil Narine Is a Huge Loss for KKR: Kevin Pietersen
Now former English Cricketer Kevin Pietersen has spoken about Sunil Narine’s performance. During the post-match show on Star Sports, Pietersen said that he really isn’t sure if Narine has been at his best since quite some time now which why he isn’t too big of a loss for the KKR side. He also added how Andre Russell is the key man for the franchise in purple this season.
“If I am honest, I am not so sure it (Sunil Narine absence) is a massive loss. Andre Russell is the guy you spend time talking about in team meetings. When he bowls, you are thinking about it. When he bats, you are thinking about it. It is same when he is fielding,” Pietersen said on Star Sports.
Kevin Pietersen went on to add how Sunil Narine hasn’t really spun the ball big time since a few years which shows he hasn’t been in his usual best. He particularly pointed out how bowlers have become smart in bowling short to Narine since he’s most uncomfortable against facing them.
“Sunil Narine has not been the same bowler for a few years now. He hasn’t had his best; he hasn’t had his real big spin. Coming to Sharjah, it is not something you are really worried about Sunil Narine. And then the bowlers have found him out in his batting. You bowl him short, he doesn’t like it,” Pietersen said.