BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Off-spinner Sunil Narine has switched allegiance to reigning Caribbean Premier League champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in a move that will see him reunited with Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.
The 27-year-old Trinidadian has turned out for Guyana Amazon Warriors since CPL’s inception in 2013 but will return to his hometown for the upcoming season, set to bowl off in June.
Red Steel were bought last season by the owners of KKR and chief executive Venky Mysore said it was important to have Narine back among the family.
“Sunil has been an integral part of KKR since 2012 and ever since we first came to Trinidad & Tobago, people have been asking me, ‘When are you going to bring Sunil back?’” Mysore said.
“With this exciting announcement it is a clear signal of our intent and is a great day as we plan ahead for the forthcoming CPL campaign.
“It is also another important step as we bid to extend the commonalities between the franchises, with Jacques Kallis featuring for both sides in recent times.
“Sunil is a champion player, who has helped deliver two titles to KKR in 2012 and 2014, and a champion person as well and I know that he will play a vital role in our quest for glory this year back in his homeland of Trinidad & Tobago.”
Narine has been a key part of KKR over the years as the head of their attack, helping them to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
However, he has not been able to replicate the same success with Amazon Warriors, though they managed to reach the final in 2013 and 2014 but failed to capture the title.
Narine said while he had not been able to inspire Amazon Warriors to CPL glory, his departure would now allow them to rebuild.
“First I must say that I have really enjoyed my three years with Guyana. As a team we had been a little disappointed not to have won a CPL trophy in that time, which we really wanted to do and make [owner] Bobby (Ramroop) proud,” Narine said.
“But I am sure Guyana will look to take this opportunity to build a new team that will be a force to be reckoned with.
“Some things are out of my control, and I always said from the start when the CPL were appointing various icon players that if I wasn’t able to play for Trinidad then I would like to play for Guyana. So I have done my best and I hope Guyana recognise that.”
The bowler, who has his sights set on the Twenty World Cup in India starting in March, said he was looking forward to reunite with the “family” at KKR.
“KKR prides itself on being a family and that is exactly what it is. Yes, the team is competitive and we have won titles, but a lot of that can be attributed to how the franchise is run from top to bottom,” Narine noted.
“The owners and management care and make themselves available. Players are comfortable and well looked after and I am sure the same style of ownership and management will be seen at Trinidad & Tobago.”
