NEW DELHI: Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have received a boost ahead of their clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
Head coach Chandrakant Pandit has confirmed that all-rounder Sunil Narine, who missed KKR’s previous match against Rajasthan Royals due to illness, has recovered and will be available for selection.
Narine’s absence was felt in the previous match, as KKR had to bring in Moeen Ali as a replacement.
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However, Ali stepped up and contributed significantly with the ball, helping KKR secure their first win of the season. Ali acknowledged the challenge of replacing Narine but expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I’ve been practising well, and I just try to be ready all the time. I got told this morning that Sunny [Narine] was not well and to just be ready whenever. Obviously, hard to replace Sunny, but I felt like I did a nice job of it.”
“He (Narine) is at training, with the rest of the team at Wankhede,” KKR said in a statement on Saturday.
In KKR’s tournament opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Narine showcased his all-round abilities, scoring a quickfire 44 off 26 balls and then returning impressive figures of 1/27 with the ball.
His availability for the upcoming match against MI will undoubtedly bolster KKR’s bowling attack and provide them with an additional batting option.
Meanwhile, MI, led by Hardik Pandya, will be looking to bounce back after suffering their second consecutive loss of the season against Gujarat Titans.
As the five-time champions prepare for their first home game of the season, they will be eager to secure a much-needed victory and get their campaign back on track.
The clash between KKR and MI promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams boasting formidable lineups and a rich history in the Indian Premier League.
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