IPL 2020: 3 Players who can replace Sunil Narine in KKR's playing XI if he is banned from bowling

The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is on in UAE, and players have been flaunting their very best in the Gulf nation. Some big names have been showing some hot and cold form in the ongoing T20 league. Franchises have dealt with the huge blows when some of their players got ruled out of the tournament, and SRH in this line suffered terribly. To be ready with replacements in every section should be the approach of the franchises in this uncertain game.

In the same light, the Kolkata Knight Riders could jolt if their star spinner Sunil Narine gets banned for his bowling action. In their recent outing against KXIP,  Narine has been warned yet again for his bowling action and has been put in the warning list. The Caribbean spinner turned the course of the game by his deadly spin attack in the death overs, and this news can really snatch the peace of the KKR squad.

If the unfortunate incident occurs and he gets banned, Kolkata must be ready with replacements at any moment. Though it is too difficult to replace a veteran like him, let’s see-

Three probable replacements of Sunil Narine to get KKR going-

1. Chris Green

The South-African born Australian all-rounder is yet to mark his international debut in the cricket world. Though he has experience of plying his trade in many T20 leagues around the globe, his presence is still awaited in playing XI of IPL. He has been roped in by KKR ahead of the 2020 season and might do some wonders if given a chance.

The right-arm spinner has 506 runs and 65 wickets to his name in the T20 format of the game. He showed some decent form in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League alongside Guyana Amazon Warriors. He picked nine wickets in 11 matches and maintained an impressive economy of 5.68.

Ahead of 2018 CPL, he was also named as one of the five players to look for. If KKR lands on a rough patch and have to bid adieu to Narine, Green can be given a chance to fill in his shoes. The bowling all-rounder has been in competitive cricket for five years now.

2. Manimaran Siddharth

The Chennai youngster marked his debut in T20 cricket in 2019 by getting featured in 2019-20, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. A month after his T20 debut, he also pitched in for his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu state in 2019-20, Ranji Trophy. He was snapped in by KKR ahead of IPL 2020 auction.

However, he is yet to show up for his debut match in IPL for his franchise. Given his stats in T20 and first-class cricket, the young man can come as a surprise package for the team in testing times. He can definitely stand a chance owing to his spin action if Narine turns away from the team in near future.

In four first-class matches, he has 10-wickets to his name with an impressive economy of 2.45 whereas, in the T20 format, he has 12 dismissals to his name in just five matches with an economy of 4.94. Seeing these shining figures, even in the domestic circuit, he can be trusted by the team management easily.

3. Kuldeep Yadav

It is quite a heartbreaking sight to see one of the finest spinners of India, warming the bench for Kolkata Knight Riders. Kuldeep Yadav remained dismal in his first few outings with the team as he picked just one wicket in three matches and remained a bit costly too.

He has been out of the playing XI after that, and youngsters have been given chances. Not to forget, he even had a terrible 2019 IPL season as he picked just four wickets in nine outings with Kolkata. However, he can definitely be one option in place of Narine owing to his international exposure.

The 25-year-old Chinaman has 39 scalps to his name in 21 T20Is and 104 wickets in 60 ODI matches. He even maintains an impressive economy of 5.11 in ODI cricket. Team management might take no time to show trust in their experienced player when a replacement has to be made for Narine.