Nobody In KKR Has Utilised Sunil Narine Better Than Gautam Gambhir: Manvinder Bisla

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Manvinder Bisla is of the opinion that Gautam Gambhir managed Sunil Narine batter than any other captain of the franchise.

The West Indies bowling all-rounder has played the most number of matches (143) for KKR since he joined them in IPL 2012. Narine has snapped 143 wickets from 134 IPL matches at an economy rate of 6.74, he is the highest wicket-taker for KKR and overall seventh in the list of most wickets by a bowler in IPL.

Sunil Narine will always be a match-winner for KKR: Manvinder Bisla

In his maiden IPL season, he claimed 24 wickets, just one short of Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) bowler Morne Morkel’s tally of 25 wickets.

Bisla, who played for KKR between 2011-14, feels that Gambhir had efficiently utilised Narine during his tenure as KKR captain. Bisla also said that the West Indies spinner has phenomenally been consistent with his performance for KKR.

“He’ll always (Sunil Narine) be a match-winner for KKR. It’s not possible to maintain a uniform performance graph throughout your career. He has gradually adapted to his new action,” Bisla told Sportskeeda.

“It takes a toll on your mental health when so many things happen around your action.I feel he’s a very useful cricketer who can win you matches any time. If you take my opinion, I don’t think KKR have utilised him well for the past two seasons. He’s someone who thrives on challenges. He loves to bowl in powerplay overs. He did well in the UAE because he was given more responsibility.

“Gautam was a special skipper. Even now when we talk, I call him “skipper”. He has backed a lot of players, not just Sunil. He showed faith in many young bowlers, even against power-hitters like Dhoni and [Darren] Sammy. Nobody has used Narine better than Gautam,” he added.

You’re less likely to buy Andre Russell and Sunil Narine back at the same prices: Manvinder Bisla

Narine and his West Indies teammate Andre Russell were retained by KKR ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction.

Bisla said that if KKR wouldn’t have retained them than other franchises would have pitted against each other for the services of the West Indies’ pair of Narine and Russell.

“If you release Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, you’re less likely to buy them back at the same prices. Each of the 10 franchises would then try to acquire these players. Unfortunately, Russell hasn’t been in his best form over the past two seasons owing to multiple injuries.Sunil, on the other hand, performed exceedingly well in the UAE leg of the 2021 IPL,” Bisla said.

Apart from Narine and Russell, KKR have also retained young players like Venkatesh Iyer and Varun Chakravarthy.

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