Knight Riders' 'mystery spinner' Narine finally unlocked

Chennai, May 27 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders‘ mystery spinner Sunil Narine was finally unlocked by Chennai Super Kings as the Trinidadian leaked 37 runs from his four overs and remained wicketless in the final here Sunday for his worst performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Super Kings’ Suresh Raina, who smashed 73 off 38 balls, hit the 24-year-old West Indian for two sixes and a four as Knight Riders trumpcard failed miserably when his team required him the most.

Narine had been the most economical bowler for Knight Riders and is also the second highest wicket taker with 24, one behind Daredevilsa’ Morne Morkel (25).

On the eve of the final, Super Kings’ skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had to admit that Narine’s action makes him the difficult bowler to read.

But Sunday, Raina had no problems in reading the spinner and used his feet well as Super Kings’ biggest threat gifted away runs easily.

“With his action, it is difficult to catch him as to which side he is bowling whether it is the one that comes in to a right hand or it goes out,” Dhoni had said on the eve of the match.

“The variation he has got and the consistency that hehas got in maintaining line and length has been crucial. We have seen that consistency from a bowler has always paid dividends,” he added.