Sunil Narine signed up for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012 and has been the most impactful bowler for KKR by a country mile. He has taken 203 wickets in 191 matches so far and although IPL 2025 has not been his best up until now, the Trinidad-born mystery spinner can still be a handful on a spin-friendly track. Former KKR wicket-keeper batter Manvinder Bisla, who was instrumental in KKR's title triumph in 2012 opened up on the spinner and revealed the reason behind Narine's sustained success in the Indian Premier League.

"He (Narine) would not bowl to batters in the nets. Firstly, he had no interest in bowling in the nets. Secondly, he did not want to be read by batters who might end up playing for another franchise a couple of years later," Bisla revealed on the 'Knuckleball by NDTV' podcast.

"When I was wicket-keeping for KKR, I had to request him to bowl 12 or 13 deliveries at me so that I could read his variations, because I was the one who had to catch them and do a stumping. If I couldn't collect it, and the ball beat both the batter and myself, it would be of no use," Bisla added with a tinge of humour.

"After he had bowled 10-12 balls, I could understand a thing (about Narine's variations)! " said the former KKR wicket-keeper.

KKR won the IPL in 2012 and 2014 and both Narine and Bisla played their part in Kolkata's success during that period under Gautam Gambhir's captaincy. While Narine continues to be a very important member of the KKR side, Bisla moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2015 and played his last IPL game there in the same year against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Narine, on the other hand, is no mug with the bat as well but is yet to fire for his side in this edition of the IPL. Having played 5 matches for KKR this season, Narine has picked up five wickets. His best game so far came against CSK where he returned with figures of 3 for 13 and scored 44 off 18 balls. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant show with the bat and ball. Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Punjab Kings on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh.

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