Narine a true cricket legend

THE EDITOR: I fondly recall watching Sunil Narine bowl that infamous maiden super over to Nicholas Pooran in one of the earliest editions of the CPL and 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 TT in the T20 Champions League in India, the West Indies in the T20 World Cup in 2012, and of course his IPL titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Calling him a “pelter” is a cheap shot. Batsmen had to guess where the ball was turning. Give him his plaudits, he was an excellent bowler.

I cannot remember a time seeing Narine without his trademark "Mohawk" hairstyle, neither him celebrating extravagantly like Dwayne Bravo or Kieron Pollard. I do remember his debut as an opening batsman alongside Aaron Finch in the Big Bash. I did not know he had that in his locker.

Narine is a legend of the T20 format. His global 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.

Narine did more for cricket than he did for the West Indies, and that is a good thing. He was a major gear in the evolution and revolution of cricket. Cricket is now hitting the Olympic stage and its globalisation is what will increase participants in ICC tournaments going forward.

Of course, sport is about the money, all athletes across all sports strive for that generational wealth. Sport in this part of the world is still tremendously disrespected, and that probably is why Narine gets that appreciation overseas.

Thanks for the memories, Narine, thanks for everything, it was a pleasure seeing you play the beautiful game. TT has not seen the influence of Narine on cricket around the world just yet. He is not just a West Indies legend, he is a cricket legend.

KENDELL KARAN

Chaguanas