IPL 2026: “For KKR to be successful this IPL, Varun and Narine need to fire” – Faf du Plessis highlights KKR’s spin strength

Sunil Narine in the practice session for KKR ahead of the IPL 2025
Sunil Narine (PC: Debasis Sen)

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should make use of their biggest strength by preparing spin-friendly pitches for the IPL 2026 at the Eden Gardens. Du Plessis highlighted how crucial spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy are to KKR’s success and why the team management should plan conditions around them.

Sharing his views on JioHotstar, du Plessis said, “If I was part of the KKR team management, I would ask the groundsman at Eden Gardens to make the wicket spin-friendly. KKR are blessed to have two absolute cannons in Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine. They are two of the best T20 spinners in the game right now.”

Both mystery spinners have played a crucial role in KKR’s bowling attack. Varun has picked 99 wickets in 83 matches for KKR and was also part of their title-winning squad in 2024. Narine, on the other hand, has been a key player in all three of KKR’s IPL title-winning campaigns. He has consistently performed well, picking 192 wickets in 189 matches for the team.

Du Plessis further added, “Both, Varun and Narine, have to be in the game. If they play on surfaces where they are not in contention, then you are losing those two cannons and your superpower. Yes, they can bowl well on any wicket and trouble batters. But for KKR to be successful this IPL, Varun and Narine need to fire. The pitch should be prepared keeping those two players in mind.”

KKR will lock horns with Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29.

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The post IPL 2026: “For KKR to be successful this IPL, Varun and Narine need to fire” – Faf du Plessis highlights KKR’s spin strength appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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