Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has entered the third match; However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will play their fourth match of the IPL. They will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) tomorrow at Eden Gardens. Ahead of the match, there is some good news for KKR fans as Sunil Narine may return to the playing eleven.
Sunil Narine, who missed the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), will return to the team against LSG, reports Cricbuzz. This experienced West Indies all-rounder could not play the last match due to stomach pain. He has recovered from the pain and was present during training yesterday and was also present in training today.
Sunil Narine returns against LSG
So, as of now, Sunil Narine is expected to play the game on Thursday evening. Narine has been one of the key players for KKR for the last several years. He is the only cricketer in IPL history to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title three times. This shows his importance to the franchise.
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Update on Sunil Narine from KKR…
He had some pain in his stomach, due to which he was not in the playing eleven last time. But he has recovered. He was at training yesterday, he is at training today. So he looks good.#IPL2026 #KKR pic.twitter.com/Fj7SSG3tXT
– Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) April 8, 2026
So far in IPL 2026, Sunil Narine has taken one wicket in two matches and has been ineffective with his bowling. The opponents are cautious against him and are not giving any wickets to the spinner, and are attacking the other weaker bowlers in KKR’s unit. Narine has also fallen from the starting position to number 8.
Will Sunil Narine open for KKR in the next match?
Whenever Narine has performed for the franchise with the ball and later with the bat, KKR has been successful. Narine was the leading run-getter in KKR’s 2024 IPL-winning campaign, scoring 488 runs with one century and three fifties. The impact and intent he brought to the game took the game away from the opponents.
Last year Naren had also opened; Although he hasn’t been able to make that much of an impact, he has yet to open the batting with KKR this year. Since his arrival in 2012, Narine has remained with the franchise and has taken 193 wickets in the IPL, the most by a KKR bowler in the history of the tournament.
Is KKR missing opener Sunil Narine? The management has to find the best combination for the team and let the 37-year-old all-rounder open the innings, because if he stays at the crease for 10 balls, he can destroy the opponent with his aggressive batting ability. However, as of now, Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane are opening for the night.
Cameron Green ready to bowl in the next game
Another good news for KKR is that Cameron Green is reported to bowl in the upcoming match against LSG. It is reported that the Australian all-rounder has received the clearance certificate from Cricket Australia to bowl, and this will be a big boost for the Knights in the next games and the tournament as well.
KKR are yet to get their first win of the IPL 2026 campaign, as they have lost two in three matches and were on the verge of losing the third match against PBKS, but rain saved the match, and they eventually got a point from the PBKS game.
Also read: Big achievement for KKR! Cameron Green ready to bowl in IPL 2026 match against LSG
