IPL 2019: Sunil Narine working on hiding the ball, says KKR bowling coach

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be once again banking on their spin spearhead Sunil Narine to get the job done for them in the upcoming season. The Windies star has been one of the team’s most important members since being brought in 2012. Over hundred wickets and an economy of less than seven just makes clear how good Narine has been for the Kolkata Knight Riders over the years.

His wicket-taking ability, however, took a toll in the last few years after he had to modify his action. The mystery spinner had taken more than 20 wickets in his first three seasons with the two-time winners. However, he finished the last four seasons with 17, 10, 11 and 7 wickets respectively. Well, the batsmen should now gear up for the challenge of facing Narine at his best again as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling coach Carl Crowe has said the spinner has worked on ‘hiding the ball’ from batsmen to keep the mystery.

Crowe said that since last year Narine changed his bowling action and is still working on it. The coach also revealed how extensively the team-management is working on Narine’s bowling action so that the batsmen do not read him easily.

“With so much analysis, we are aware of that (the mystery being solved). His action changed slightly since last year in terms of hiding the ball,” Crowe said ahead of the team’s practice session at the Eden Gardens.

“We are working on him in terms of staying ahead of batsmen. After IPL, we have plans for next year with mystery ball, hiding the ball. We are one step ahead of them and are looking at new ways to hide (the ball) and make sure batsmen don’t pick up,” he added.

Narine will be playing the IPL after recovering from a finger injury that made him miss the entire Pakistan Super League. But Narine’s lack of game time is not worrying Crowe as he said the spinner is in good shape while also highlighting the spinner’s contribution with the bat.

“He is in good shape. He didn’t play the PSL due to a finger injury. His performance has always been of high quality. His batting is now part of his game as well. But when you modify your action and be able to maintain the standard, which he has done, credit should go to him,” Crowe added.

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