KKR star players hopeful of playing the tournament from the start

Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered a huge blow ahead of the Indian Premier League because four of their overseas players were likely to miss the tournament – Chris Lynn, Andre Russell, Mitchell Starc and Sunil Narine. While the first three of them are nursing respective injuries, Narine was reported for suspect bowling action in the on-going second edition of the Pakistan Super League.

Lynn and Russell likely to play KKR’s tournament opener

Lynn and Russell’s unavailability caused huge worries for the team, as both are star T20 players. Besides, Russell absence from the team last year, due to a ban he was serving, had caused a big void in the team. However, as per the latest news, both the players are likely to be available for the tournament from its start.

Kolkata Knight Riders CEO Venky Mysore on Wednesday said that the two foreign players are expected to be available from the start. KKR’s first match is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 8 at their home ground Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

“We are expecting Lynn and Russell to play on April 8. They will join the camp,” Mysore said on the sidelines of former India skipper Sourav Ganguly’s book launch of ‘A Century Is Not Enough’.

He also gave an update on Australian pacer Starc’s fitness, saying he is making recovery and KKR are hopeful of his availability as well.

“I think Starc’s report was not necessarily very accurate. He is absolutely fine. It’s a bit unfortunate with the injuries. All the reports we are getting, they are making very good progress. Fingers crossed.”

As for Narine, Mysore said that being reported for suspect bowling action was ‘strange’.

“That was a strange one. But he is fine. He has played international cricket, he has played two-three series and there is absolutely no issue. He has put it behind him already.”