Sunil Narine barred from bowling off-breaks in IPL

Therefore, Narine will have to look for other options like the knuckle ball and the straighter one.

Kolkata Knight Riders off-spinner Sunil Narine has been barred by the BCCI from bowling his off-breaks. Though, he can bowl his other variations – the ‘knuckle ball’ and the ‘quicker straight ball’.

A BCCI press release, issued today, said, “On 22 April 2015, Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders was reported by the match officials for a suspected illegal bowling action for certain deliveries bowled by him during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam.” The statement later said, “Following the provisions of the IPL suspected illegal bowling action policy, the committee has concluded that Mr Narine is now banned from bowling the off-spinner.”

Narine had been earlier banned from bowling after he was reported ahead of the Champions League T20 final last year. Subsequently, he was cleared by the ICC-accredited Loughborough centre. But the Indian cricket board was not convinced. Naraine was put through a re-test at Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai that gave him the go-ahead for the IPL. It’s a little surprising that the same institute has pulled up the West Indian bowler again.

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“This can happen. Your college exam result can be different from your job performance. About three weeks ago when he came here, we found his off-breaks within the permissible limit of 15 degrees. This time, he transgressed. Video evidence corroborates our findings,” an SRASSC source, who was part of the testing process, told The Indian Express. Kolkata Knight Riders management has extended support to their beleaguered spinner. “Glad @SunilPNarine74 cleared to play. He is a strong person & key member of @KKRiders squad & available for selection! #Go4More,” CEO Venky Mysore tweeted.

Narine, however, has the provision to undergo a rehab. “Mr Narine may undergo a course of bowling rehabilitation and take corrective measures to ensure that his action does not contravene Law 24 and may then request a further official assessment by the committee,” said the BCCI release.

Even without Narine, Kolkata boast a strong spin attack. Brad Hogg played the last game against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday and returned with the figures of 1/18 in his four overs. The Aussie chinaman bowler is likely to retain his place in the return-leg fixture at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

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