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Sunil Narine is excited for THIS player return as KKR X factor in the IPL 2026
Sunil Narine is excited for a return of star player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as KKR X factor. Have a look and find player's name.
Last Updated on - December 5, 2025 5:17 PM IST
Mystery spinner Sunil Narine says Kolkata Knight Riders will miss Andre Russell’s on-field powerhitting but is excited at the prospect of a fit-again Umran Malik unleashing 150kph thunderbolts in next year’s IPL.
Tearaway pacer Umran is set for his KKR debut after missing last season due to a hip injury and Narine feels the Jammu and Kashmir quick has the ingredients to become the franchise’s next X-factor.
“He is an exciting bowler. I think you need that X factor when it comes to pace in IPL because of the small grounds and the good pitches. I think he’s going to do pretty good. He came (and joined the side) in back end of the last IPL and he looked good… So I think it says a lot,” the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders spinner told PTI on the sidelines of the ILT20 here.
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Umran returned to competitive cricket this domestic season after more than 18 months on the sidelines and immediately hit his straps for Jammu and Kashmir, taking five wickets in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali.
In the match against Uttar Pradesh, he grabbed 3/37, consistently hustling batters including his KKR teammate Rinku Singh, with pace and steep bounce.
After being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad, Umran was picked by KKR for his base price of Rs 75 lakh ahead of IPL 2025. But an untimely injury ruled him out, prompting KKR to name Chetan Sakariya as his replacement.
With PTI Inputs.