Sunil Narine banned from bowling off-spin in Indian Premier League

Sunil Narine

Having won 3 matches and lost 3 KKR need to come back to winning ways to stay in the title contention, adding to their woes is the recent ban on their prime bowler, Sunil Narine from bowling off spin.

According to the media release by BCCI media officials, reported a suspect bowling action for certain deliveries bowled by Narine when KKR played against Sun Risers Hyderabad on 22nd April in Vishakapatnam. This resulted in Narine undergoing a test at the Sri Ramachandra Arthroscopy and Sports Sciences Centre (SRASSC) in Chennai, where a biomechanical analysis of his bowling was conducted.

According to the provisions of IPL Suspect Illegal Bowling Action Policy, the committee has concluded that Narine’s off-spin bowling action contradicts Law 24.2(as read with Law 24.3) of the Laws of Cricket. Which now means that this West Indian bowler will be banned from bowling off-spin in the following contest of IPL and from any matches organised by the BCCI. He is free to bowl his other deliveries which are the knuckle ball and the quicker straight ball.

It is also mentioned that if Narine does the bowl the off-spinner in this season of IPL the umpires would call it a “No Ball” by applying Law 24.2 at the end of the match. Under the IPL Suspected Bowling Action Policy, he could also be suspended from bowling in BCCI organised matches if he violates the ban.

The KKR bowler will mostly undergo bowling rehabilitation and take the required measures to ensure that he doesn’t violate Law 24 and may then request for further Assessment by the Committee.

This is coming at a very crucial juncture of the IPL and KKR will want one of their main bowlers to be available for the rest of the tournament.