IPL 2020: KKR spinner Sunil Narine reported for suspect bowling action

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) registered a thrilling win by two runs against the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) on Saturday. Their off-spinner Sunil Narine was their hero who turned the game on its head conceding only two runs in the 18th over of the innings. However, the team was in for a shocking piece of news after the match as the umpires reported the Caribbean bowler for his suspect bowling action.

This is not the first time that Sunil Narine has been reported for suspect bowling action. He has had his troubles before in this aspect with the umpires reporting his action suspect twice in Champions League 2014. Rather he also missed the 2015 World Cup to work on his action only to be reported again in the IPL in the same year. He was eventually suspended by the ICC in November that year.

As far as the current report is concerned, Sunil Narine will be allowed to bowl until his action is reporting once again. If the on-field umpires deem his action to be illegal once again, the cricketer will be banned from bowling for the rest of the season.

“The report was made by the on-field umpires according to the IPL’s Suspected Illegal Bowling Action Policy, Narine will be placed on the Warning List and is permitted to continue to bowl in the tournament,” the IPL Release stated.

KKR’s thrilling win

As far as the match is concerned, Dinesh Karthik was named the Man of the Match for his exceptional knock with the bat which propelled KKR to a very good total. However, the team will have to thank Sunil Narine and Prasidh Krishna who bowled superbly in the last three overs to defend 23 runs.

After nipping out Nicholas Pooran in the 18th over, Narine just a single off the next four deliveries to being the equation to 20 runs off two overs. With KL Rahul still in the middle, he was expected to take KXIP home. But Krishna castled him and conceded only six runs in the over to leave 14 for Narine. And the off-spinner didn’t disappoint helping the team win the game by two runs.

However, with his action reported, KKR management will now be keen on making him work on his action to not get banned from bowling.