Well bowled, Sunil, thanks for the memories!

THE EDITOR, Madam;

I fondly recall watching Sunil Narine bowl that infamous maiden super over to Nicholas Pooran in one of the earliest editions of the CPL. That was a display of his wizardry in a nutshell. Deceptive, quick through the air, wicket to wicket, and very economical. I place him a touch ahead of Ravi Ashwin in the art of bowling the carrom ball; it was that weapon that helped Trinidad and Tobago in the T20 Champions League in India, the T20 World Cup in 2012, and, of course, his IPL titles with Kolkata Knight Riders.

I can’t remember seeing Sunil Narine without his trademark Mohawk hairstyle, nor him celebrating extravagantly like Bravo or Pollard. I do remember his debut as an opening batsman alongside Aaron Finch in the Big Bash – didn’t know he had that in his locker! Give him his plaudits, he was an excellent bowler.

Sunil Narine is a legend of the T20 format. His prowess is what catapulted T20 franchise cricket around the world. Whether we like it or not, this is the future, and a pathway to more nations trying to get into the sport and rise to Test status. He was a major gear in the evolution and revolution of cricket. Cricket is now hitting the Olympic stage and that sport’s globalisation is what will increase participants in ICC tournaments going forward. Thanks for the memories, Sunil, thanks for everything. It was a pleasure seeing you play the beautiful game. Trinidad and Tobago hasn’t seen the influence of Narine on cricket around the world just yet. He isn’t just a West Indies legend, he is a cricket legend.

KENDELL KARAN

Trinidad