IPL 2018: Sunil Narine to be tested for bowling action in Chennai
What's the story?
Following the IPL guidelines, the West Indian spinner will visit Chennai to clear his tests for bowling action. The Sri Ramachandra Sports Medicine Centre is the only BCCI-accredited centre with bio-mechanical facility that qualifies for this purpose.
A source told The Hindu, Chennai on Friday, “We have to first look at the videos of his earlier faulty action, and then see his re-modelled one now.”
In case you didn't know...
The main man of KKR was 'reported' in the Pakistan Cricket League recently. He was later put in the 'warning' list and allowed to continue with the league.
The heart of the matter
The Windies spinner, playing for Lahore Qalandars in the PSL was reported for suspect action in a match against Quetta Gladiators in Sharjah. This wasn't the first time the spinner was reported as he was called out earlier during Champions League 2014 and IPL 2015. However, in the latter, he was let off with a warning.
According to the ICC guidelines, once the player is on the warning list, he is not allowed to bowl in the league but is allowed to be picked in the side. But, after being put on the 'warning' list, Narine has to clear his tests before getting along with the IPL, complying to the league's guidelines (more like, BCCI's guidelines).
What's next?
A report will be sent to the BCCI Suspect Action Committee once the tests, using 3-D technology and sensors for assessing elbow flexion from different angles, are done. The 3-member committee consists of S. Venkatraghavan, Javagal Srinath and A.V. Jayaprakash, who will decide his competence for the league.
His team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, will be taking on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eden Garden on the 8th of April.
Author's take
The tests are likely to eat up some of the spinner's time in the IPL - a loss for both Narine and the team. The authorities and the player must be running against time to be done with the formalities as soon as possible. However, he should return within the first few matches of his side, at least, if he is cleared of all the allegations.