Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mystery spinner Sunil Narine says the team will miss Andre Russell’s destructive power-hitting on the field but is excited about the prospect of a fully fit Umran Malik unleashing 150kph thunderbolts in IPL 2026.

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer, who missed last season due to a hip injury, is set to make his KKR debut next year. Narine believes the “Jammu Express” has the talent and pace to become the franchise’s next X-factor.

Umran Malik ready to make an impact

“He is an exciting bowler. You need that X-factor in the IPL because of the small grounds and good pitches. I think he's going to do pretty well. He joined the side towards the end of the last IPL and looked impressive, so it says a lot,” Narine told PTI on the sidelines of the ILT20.

After 18 months away from competitive cricket, Umran returned this domestic season with Jammu and Kashmir, impressively taking five wickets in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Against Uttar Pradesh, he claimed 3/37, consistently troubling batters, including his KKR teammate Rinku Singh, with pace and bounce.

Picked by KKR for a base price of Rs 75 lakh ahead of IPL 2025 after being released by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Umran had to sit out due to injury, with Chetan Sakariya replacing him. During his stint with SRH, he bowled India’s third-fastest IPL delivery at 157kph and consistently reached 150kph in that season. He has played 26 matches for SRH, taking 29 wickets at 26.62, with a career-best 5/25, and earned an India call-up in 2022. He has since played 10 ODIs and 8 T20Is for India, taking 13 and 11 wickets respectively.

“Hopefully he stays fit. I'm looking forward to seeing some 145-150kph balls,” Narine said.

Big shoes to fill after Andre Russell’s retirement

Russell, who was not retained for the upcoming auction, surprised fans by retiring from the IPL to join KKR’s backroom staff instead of entering the December 16 auction, where he would have been a marquee attraction.

“Obviously we will miss him on the field. When chasing a big total, you’re never out of it until he’s out. It’s going to be some big shoes to fill. But hopefully we get the right combination and deliver the goods next season,” Narine said.

KKR has also revamped its coaching staff for IPL 2026. Abhishek Nayar takes over as head coach, Dwayne Bravo as mentor, Shane Watson as assistant coach, Tim Southee as bowling coach, and Russell as power coach.

“Nair, Bravo, and Russell are there. Playing with Watson and Southee in the past, there’s a lot of knowledge in the support staff. It’s going to be exciting,” Narine added.

(By PTI Inputs)