KOLKATA, India, CMC – Champion off-spinner Sunil Narine is set to return to India on Tuesday, and could make a highly anticipated appearance for Kolkata Knight Riders in Wednesday’s mega clash against Mumbai Indians, in the Indian Premier League.
KKR team officials confirmed Monday that the 27-year-old off-spinner was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday morning from Trinidad and Tobago, after returning home over a week ago following the death of his father.
While in Trinidad, Narine was cleared by cricket’s world governing body, the ICC, to resume bowling in international cricket, a development that provided a huge boost to KKR ahead of the current IPL season.
Narine had been banned by the ICC last November, after tests showed his action on all deliveries, exceeded the 15 degree level of tolerance permitted under regulations.
He was forced to remodel his action and late last month successfully underwent a re-test at the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai.
Having not played competitive cricket in just over four months, Narine is expected to come under close scrutiny when he finally lines up for KKR.
However, captain Gautam Gambhir has already backed the Trinidadian to bounce back strongly in the coming season.
Narine has been one of the most successful bowlers in the IPL with 74 wickets across the last four seasons.