5 pinch hitters like Sunil Narine who can be used by other teams in IPL10

Kolkata Knight Riders made an explosive start to the 10th edition of IPL when Chris Lynn took apart Gujarat Lions in the first game and chased down a score of 183 in just 14.5 overs. It seemed as if the new opening combination of Gambhir and Lynn was there to stay. But unfortunately, the Australian succumbed to a shoulder injury in the second match against Mumbai Indians and had to be pulled out of the side. It was almost certain that KKR will go in with their trusted opening combination of Gambhir and Uthappa after that.

But to everyone’s surprise, Sunil Narine was seen entering the field alongside the skipper in the third match against Kings XI Punjab. The West Indian smacked 37 off just 18 balls 4 fours and 3 sixes and set the platform for a comfortable chase. Since then, he became a regular feature at that slot and had scores of 6, 42, 34 and 16, all in double quick time. More often than not, he provided the blistering starts that set the tone for either a big score while batting first or inflicting an easy chase.

So far, the move has paid rich dividends and is one of the reasons why KKR is sitting pretty at the top of the points table. Narine goes after the bowling from the very first ball without worrying about losing his wicket. Although he doesn’t have the technique of an opening batsman but his job is very clear. He needs to go on the attack from the outset and if he gets out early in the process, a big batting line-up is there to rebuild. There is no harm in sending a batsman like him up the order because his hard hitting abilities are utilized to a great effect which otherwise are wasted down the order.

KKR have shown the way how to make use of a pinch-hitter like him. There are several such batsmen in other teams who can do a similar job. The other teams can take a leaf out of KKR’s book and do the same with such players. Let’s have a look at the potential batsmen who can do a Narine.

#1 Harbhajan Singh

The veteran Indian off-spinner is primarily known for his spin bowling but those who have followed his career closely would completely agree to the fact that he is no mug with the bat. He possesses the skills to send the ball out of the park at any stage of the game. If the ball is pitched in his half, the ball more often than lands into the crowd.

In 2015, he scored a fifty off just 19 balls against Kings XI Punjab that was the fastest half-century for Mumbai Indians until Kieron Pollard surpassed it. He also has two centuries to his name in Test cricket which proves his abilities with the bat. Although the Mumbai side has a flurry of hard-hitting batsmen, yet if required, Bhajji could be a useful prospect as a pinch hitter up the order.