Sunil Narine unavailable for opening encounter against Delhi Daredevils

Sunil Narine has had to catch an emergency flight back to Trinidad due to the death of his father. While the news comes as a devastating development, the Knight Riders will be without the spinner for the opening match. However, Narine is expected to make a return in the following match against the Mumbai Indians.

This news was delivered at the press conference by KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir. The Knight Riders will play their opening encounter against the Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens later today. Andre Russell however, will make an appearance in the purple of the Knight Rider’s jersey. Sunil Narine was cleared by the ICC after altering his bowling action and the likes of Shakib-al-Hasan and Gambhir as well are relieved that Narine has got the monkey off his back.

“Narine is not available for the first game, he is only available from the second. Russell is available,” Gambhir told reporters

“I am more confident of Narine this year than I was last year and he will be comfortable with a remodelled action. Obviously, he has bowled with the action. This year you will get to see the best of him as he knows the monkey is off his back.”

When asked about the threat carried by Carlos Brathwaite, Gambhir reiterated that they don’t have a plan for individuals. However, Gambhir followed it up stating that it was exciting to have the IPL back as well as stating that it was important for them to get off to the perfect start.

“We do not talk about individuals. Daredevils are not only about Brathwaite, there are other quality players as well. If we have to win we have got to beat the eleven players on their side,” he said.

“Very excited, looking forward to a good start. If you get off to a good start it takes a lot of pressure on you. We saw it last year when where we were at the top and in the last two games we slipped to number five. So hopefully we will try to start off well and continue that into the entire tournament,” Gambhir stated.

Finally, the KKR skipper sad that credit must be due to the coaching of Trevor Bayliss.

“A successful team makes a successful coach. For Bayliss, a lot of credit goes to the players in the dressing room. It is the same for the captain,” he said.

“People, fans, have been the biggest strength. The amount of loyalty they have shown for the first three years and then sticking by us. Feeling sad when you lose, happy when you win. Hopefully, we will try and give them a lot of happiness,” he said.