Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Sunil Narine has expressed that in all the years of playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has not come across a better cricketer than former Indian opener, Virender Sehwag who could play his spin. The West Indian mystery spinner, who will play his 150th game for KKR later on Monday completing 10 years with the franchise, revealed the same when asked who he thought played him best.
As per the quotes in News18, Sunil Narine said, “I will probably have to say Virender Sehwag. I always found it tough because he was a guy who always kept the game going no matter what situation the team was in, he kept batting the way he did.”
Even though KKR is placed in mid-table in the IPL 2022 following three wins and the same number of losses, Sunil Narine has so far in the season emerged as one of the most economical bowlers, with an economy of around five runs per over. He has also conceded the second-fewest boundaries for any bowler to have bowled a minimum of 15 overs this season.
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Asked how he manages to control the flow of runs even against the hard-hitters in a tournament like the IPL, the 33-year-old said that it basically comes down to keeping things simple.
Sunil Narine explained, “It’s basically if I bowl a bad ball and get hit for a six, obviously I have to bowl a better ball. If I bowl a good ball and the batter hits it for a six, I don’t try to read too much into it. I try to bowl maybe the same ball because batters don’t quite the same shot consistently, they try something else. I try to keep it as simple as possible.”
When asked about a reported request made by Sachin Tendulkar to the broadcasters of the 2012 Champions League T20 tournament to provide him with the footage of his bowling, Sunil Narine said it felt nice knowing that such a legend wanted to study his deliveries.
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Sunil Narine explained, “It gives you a good feeling knowing that one of the greatest batters to ever play the game wants to focus on you but it shows that he is dedicated and he wants to be on the top of his game and doesn’t want to be surprised when the game comes. I think for any player or youngster coming up, always strive to be the best and work on the fine details.”
The spinner said that competing for almost a decade for KKR gave him a sense of achievement, adding that he hoped that he doesn’t have to play for any other IPL franchise, given the love he has got at KKR.
Elaborating the same, Sunil Narine said, “Yeah I have always told Venky (Mysore, KKR CEO) that hopefully, I don’t play for any other franchise, I have loved my stay at KKR so hopefully I start and finish here. I think it’s a great achievement. You don’t see many overseas players stay with one franchise. Luckily, I am one of them and hopefully, I can continue to be with them in the future.”
