SUNIL Narine will play the IPL this season for Kolkata Knight Riders after the BCCI’s sub-committee dealing with suspect actions gave him a clean chit. Narine had taken a retest at Sri Ramachandra University, an ICC-accredited centre, on Thursday where he was put through various tests by the panel comprising former India captain S Venkataraghavan, former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath and ex-international umpire AV Jayaprakash.
“The committee concluded that Mr. Sunil Narine, who had remodelled his bowling action, was within the ICC approved limits for all types of deliveries that were assessed and has hence recommended to the BCCI, that his name may be removed from the warning list of bowlers with suspect action,” a BCCI press release said.
This means Narine will be available for selection for the defending champions who play the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens on April 8, and in all BCCI-organised tournaments henceforth.
Narine was first called for a suspect action last October during the Champions League T20. Subsequently he was asked by the BCCI to get it tested at any of the ICC-accredited centres with a rider saying that he would need to travel to Chennai centre if the panel deemed fit. Objecting to this condition, Knight Riders management sought the intervention of BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya and lodged a protest.
It was Dalmiya who made the first call to Knight Riders to inform that Narine was cleared. “The work has been done. Sunil Narine has been cleared,” Dalmiya told ESPNcricinfo.
Venky Mysore, the Knight Riders’ chief executive, said the franchise was relieved that Narine, their premier match-winner, was available to play again. “It is a matter of genuine relief. We are very thankful to the BCCI president, secretary and other board officials for bringing the matter reach the appropriate conclusion.” (ESPN Cricinfo)