IPL 6: Delhi Daredevils wary of KKR's Narine

Kolkata, April 1 (IANS):

Ahead of their Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Wednesday, the Delhi Daredevils (DD) are wary of KKR’s mystery offie Sunil Narine, who played a crucial role in his team winning its maiden IPL crown last year.

“He (Narine) is really difficult to play. In all conditions he always bowls well. You can’t really play big shots to him. You don’t know which way the ball is going to turn from his action,” DD all-rounder Andre Russell said here Monday.

Narine had played a stellar role in KKR’s maiden IPL championship, taking 24 wickets from 15 games.

Russell, who did not play much for his side in the last edition, hopes to turn things around this season.

“Last year I did not get much opportunities, the target is to play as many matches as possible for my team. I am confident of playing a good role for the side. T20 is such a format that requires you to play some big hits lower down the order. I’m happy to play that role for my team,” said the Jamaican.

In the absence of key DD batsmen Jesse Ryder and Kevin Pietersen, owing to injury, Russell is hopeful of filling their slot.

“Hopefully I will fit into that slot and contribute in all the three different areas — batting, bowling and fielding,” he said. He was also hopeful of his team doing well in the tournament.

Meanwhile, KKR all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla said his team would take things as they come.

“We are champions but that is now history. This is a new season and we have to start afresh. We are not looking very far but concentrating on our first match against DD and hope to start the tournament with a win,” said Shukla.

KKR meet DD at the Eden Gardens Wednesday for the opening match for the sixth edition of the IPL.