Sunil Narine has already changed the game.
He did that in 2012 when his 24 wickets led the Knight Riders to a first Indian Premier League (IPL) title, one their big-club status had virtually demanded from the birth of the league.
There cannot be too many more dangerous spinners in world cricket, especially in one-day games, than Narine. Saeed Ajmal is a genius across formats, but Narine in Twenty20s and 50-over games can often seem like a bigger mystery to solve.
It has become fashionable to distinguish these days between classical off-spinners, like Graeme Swann, and mystery spinners, such as Narine. The distinction is meant to somehow tar the latter with having illegal actions; witness the latest grumblings, ignited by Ravi Ashwin, over long-sleeved bowlers and short-sleeved ones.
But Narine is not a mystery off-spinner as much as he is a very modern one. He has an away-spinning ball of course, but it is his stock ball that is worth watching out for. With that high-arm he generally gets good bounce and also a fair rip, despite generally bowling flatter than most spinners.
It is really when and how he mixes up these two variations that stand him out. As a rule, he does not overdo the doosra. His game sense is outstanding, so that he knows precisely when he should be attacking which batsman, and when and whom he should be defensive against. He has gone entire games bowling one kind of delivery and concentrating on just one mode of attack at a particular batsman.
On a helpful surface, such as Eden Gardens, the combination of bounce, turn and his speed, take away most attacking options as a batsman. It is suicide to come down the pitch to loft him and equally to try to sweep. Going back becomes risky, too, and can reduce scoring options.
In picking him up during the 2012 auction, KKR were taking a punt.
He was little-known then and his value not entirely clear. But the reward in their investment was immediate, when he led the way to that first title and finished with the man-of-the-series award.
Even last season, as KKR sought to defend their title, he stood out. The franchise struggled to live up to their win and their batsmen, in particular, had a torrid time, as they finished seventh in the league.
But Narine was unrelenting, picking up 22 wickets.
He was the only bowler who bowled all his available overs during the league phase, an indicator of his reliability.
Tellingly, he led the charts on economy rate (for those who bowled at least 10 overs), conceding just 5.46 runs an over and he is already their all-time leading wicket taker in the IPL.
If KKR are to challenge this year or not, Narine will feature heavily either way.
What you need to know about KKR
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
The Saudi Cup race card
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
Match info
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Liverpool v Porto, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Company Profile
Company name: Fine Diner
Started: March, 2020
Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and food delivery
Initial investment: Dh75,000
Investor: Dtec Startupbootcamp
Future plan: Looking to raise $400,000
Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months
Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
