IPL 2018: Four Players Who Could Replace Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine, one of the two players retained by Kolkata Knight Riders, has been reported for a suspect bowling action in the PSL.

Though he does not face any prospect of being banned, if reported again, he will have to get his action cleared. It could also see him missing the IPL 2018.

It is to be noted he was in danger of missing IPL 2016 and was only cleared to bowl just two days before the start of the T20 league.

Whether he would have to get his action cleared or not is something which will depend on developments that will happen in future.

For now, let’s have a look at players who could replace Narine in Kolkata Knight Riders squad –

James Faulkner – One of the best all-rounders in limited-overs cricket, James Faulkner has lost his place in the national side in the Australian team and also went unsold in IPL auction 2018.

Looking at the fact he could contribute with bat and ball equally, Faulkner can always be an option who can walk in Kolkata Knight Riders.

He has played for Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Pune Warriors in the IPL in the past.

In 60 IPL games, Faulkner has scored 527 runs and has also scalped 59 wickets, which makes him one of the best all-rounders.

Martin Guptill – Should Narine be ruled out, KKR would be an opening batsman short and who other than Guptill is the best player to play in IPL as an opener.

After going unsold in the IPL auction, he scored 258 runs in the five games of Trans-Tasman Trophy and presented his case.

His show put him on the line for players to be called in as a replacement and he is currently the first person in the race. If roped in, it will be his first stint with KKR.

He played for Kings XI Punjab in the previous edition of the IPL.

Pravin Tambe – At 46, he is still playing in the Mumbai T20 league, and Tambe has shown his intentions of playing IPL as well.

With an experience of 61 T20 games, Tambe can be useful for KKR who do not have any other leg-spinner than Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla.

Tambe can always come handy for KKR who have a new captain in the form of Dinesh Karthik. He has played 33 IPL games in which Tambe has scalped 28 wickets.

He holds a unique record of taking a hat-trick on two legitimate deliveries in IPL.

Tabraiz Shamsi – Leg-spin bowling has become a key in limited-overs cricket, and is prerequisite which a team should have.

Shamsi, who went unsold in the IPL auction, can be a contender who can be looked at considering that he is also a chinaman bowler.

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore player had played a total of four IPL games, all of which came in 2016 under Virat Kohli.

Shamsi, who made his international debut in 2016, has played a total of one Test, seven ODIs and five T20Is.

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