Gautam Gambhir, KKR’s mentor of IPL 2024, has hailed off-spinner Sunil Narine as the greatest bowler in the history of the IPL.
Amid the allegations by fans and even commentator Simon Doull that Narine is perhaps chucking – illegal action – in IPL 2024, KKR uploaded a video of their mentor Gautam Gambhir lavishing praises on the West Indian spinner.
Narine was the biggest reason why Gambhir was able to lead KKR to their twin titles in 2012 and 2014 – Narine picked 24 and 21 wickets in those two title-winning seasons. However, around 2014 and 2015, when he was regularly playing for West Indies, he got called for a suspect action by the ICC and was even banned.
He remodelled his action but wasn’t as threatening as a wicket-taker after that. While in his first three IPL seasons, Sunil Narine picked over 20 wickets in each season, he never picked more than 17 wickets in any IPL season since being reported for illegal action.
Speaking at a media event for KKR, Gambhir spoke highly of Narine’s IPL career, talking about the highs and lows of the off-spinner. Narine is the 8th leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 164 wickets; his economy of 6.72 is the best among the top 10 IPL wicket-takers.
Gambhir said, “When I talk about sacrifice, this young, shy boy who came in 2012. I had seen his struggles, he has gone through so much in this jersey. From being reported to being banned to remodelling his action, coming back, and doing the same stuff year after year.
“I had seen his emotions, his insecurities, his fears. I had seen everything that he’s gone through. And I have also seen him becoming the greatest bowler in IPL history. He taught me sacrifices.”
Watch:
A story of sacrifice and loyalty – our Sunil Narine! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/S5wowyTB67
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 26, 2024