Will Sunil Narine replace Shakib Al Hasan in KKR line-up for the CSK clash?

Kolkata Knight Riders are expected to change their playing XI when they face Chennai Super Kings on 22 April 2021. The Kolkata based franchise hasn’t made a great start in the 14th season of the Indian Premier League. Eoin Morgan and Co. have just managed to win only one game out of three matches they have played so far. However, they are likely to bounce back more vigorous in their subsequent encounter against CSK. 

Their last match resulted in a 38-run loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Thus, it would be exciting to see how the two-time champions bounce back in the tournament. Coming off from two consecutive defeats, KKR is expected to make some significant changes in the line-up. The team management can mostly rope in Sunil Narine for the upcoming matches. 

Sunil Narine certainly comes into our calculations: Brendon McCullum

Sunil Narine, who has been KKR’s ace spinner ever since joining the franchise in 2012, has warmed the benches so far in the tournament. In IPL 2020 in the UAE, the spinner only played ten games. He scored only 120 runs and picked up five wickets. Kolkata Knight Riders have benched Sunil Narine to make room for Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Last year in UAE, the veteran off-spinner faced some fitness issues. His bowling action also came under the scanner. Thus, KKR team management opted for Shakib Al Hasan as their first-choice spin-bowling all-rounder, but he is yet to deliver. 

Shakib failed to perform against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The all-rounder gave away 24 runs in his two overs. Besides, he couldn’t contribute much with the will as well. He managed to score 26 runs in 25 balls. After the match against RCB, head coach McCullum hinted at the return of Sunil Narine in KKR’s next IPL game against CSK in Mumbai. It’s pretty evident that KKR will take the field against CSK with some significant changes in the playing XI. Sunil Narine’s inclusion is highly likely for the upcoming clash against the Yellow Army. With multiple left-handed platers like Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali in the CSK middle-order, Narine would uncertainly be a potent weapon. 

KKR Probable Starting XI vs CSK

Nitish Rana, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Shakib Al Hasan/Sunil Narine, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy.

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