KOLKATA, India (CMC) – Embattled off-spinner Sunil Narine went wicket-less on his return from a two-week break after having his action reported, as his Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Daredevils by 13 runs at Eden Gardens here, yesterday.On the same day the Indian Premier League announced he had been cleared to resume bowling off-breaks, the 26-year-old sent down four overs for 30 runs to help restrict Delhi to 158 for six off their 20 overs.
Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 40 from 35 balls, while opener Manoj Tiwary and JP Duminy chipped in with 25 apiece.
Narine’s West Indies teammate Andre Russell was superbly economical in his four overs of pace, conceding just 24 runs while picking up the wicket of Angelo Matthews, bowled for 22.
Since remodelling his action after it was reported during the Champions League Twenty20 last September, Narine has been less effective, picking up just two wickets in six matches this season.
Yesterday’s contest was his first game since being again reported following KKR’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam on April 22.
Earlier, KKR rallied to 171 for seven off their 20 overs, after opting to bat first.
Yusuf Pathan struck 42 off 24 balls in the middle order while opener Robin Uthappa struggled for 32 off 31 deliveries.
Russell fell cheaply for five batting down the order.