India vs West Indies: key player battles

2) Rahane vs Narine

Kolkata Knight Riders managed to win two IPLs in three years from 2012 to 2014. The key factor behind this success was Sunil Narine. Narine captured as many as 103 wickets in 75 matches till date. Narine led the franchisee to even more success in the 2014 Champions League T20.

Also Read: India’s World Cup win 1983

However, things came crashing down when Narine was banned from bowling in the Final due to being called for a suspect action. Knight Riders went on to lose the final to Chennai Super Kings. Since then, Narine’s effectiveness has been diluted although he is still extremely economical and can occasionally surprise the opposition batsmen.

Ajinkya Rahane has been India’s most consistent test performer in overseas conditions over the last three seasons. However, he hasn’t exactly set the ground on fire in T20 internationals. He has managed 364 runs in 18 innings with a single half century. in fact, he struggled to break into the Xi in the World T20.

It will be an interesting battle between two brilliant individuals who are trying to regain their prominence and establish their worth respectively.

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Sitam Chaki