IPL 2017: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab - 5 talking points

#3 Sunil Narine steps in for Chris Lynn

Sunil Narine justified KKR‘s decision to promote him as an opener

Although he had done it before for Melbourne Renegades, not many would have expected Sunil Narine to open the batting for Kolkata Knight Riders. With Chris Lynn’s unfortunate shoulder injury necessitating a change at the top of the order, the think tank pulled a rabbit out of the hat by anointing the mystery spinner as Gautam Gambhir’s latest opening partner.

Narine, whose lusty blows had lit up the second edition of the PSL, vindicated the surprise decision to promote him as an opener. Studded with four fours and three sixes, he smashed an 18-ball 37 to begin the chase on a belligerent note.