Newsfile: May 7

Kamran Khan returns to farming: Kamran Khan, the former Rajasthan Royals left-arm seamer who was picked up by Pune Warriors last year, has returned to work on his brother’s farm in Nadwa Sarai village in Uttar Pradesh. He wasn’t picked to play by Warriors this season.

Kamran, who was reported for a suspect bowling action in 2009 while playing for Royals and hopes for a comeback, told Indian Express about the difficult time he’s had. “That’s when the taunts began,” Kamran said. “It’s almost like they were waiting for me to fall. “Not many people here understand cricket. They now tell me how useless I am, and how my career is over because I chuck.

"I’ve learned to ignore them. Instead, I spend my days training for a comeback in the mornings and evenings. During the day, I work on my brother’s farm, keeping to myself, away from the rest of the villagers.”

Sunil Narine enjoying “honeymoon”: With 13 wickets from eight games at an average of 12.92 and economy rate of 5.25, Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Sunil Narine is one of the most dangerous bowlers in the IPL. His variations have confounded most batsmen but he will be up against two players skilled against spin when Knight Riders play Delhi Daredevils – Mahela Jayawardene and Virender Sehwag. “The contest with Narine will be exciting tomorrow,” Jayawardene said on the eve the game. “He is going through a honeymoon period. But more and more he plays, batsmen will start analysing him and then it will be his real test. The key will be whether he is improving as a bowler from what he is right now.” Sehwag also had praise for Narine but warned that the Kotla would be a challenge for the spinner. “He bowled superbly and he mixed his deliveries pretty well. I think he is a very good prospect but the Kolkata track does help him even more. It is not going to be easy for him at Feroz Shah Kotla as the wicket is different out here andhasn't really aided the spinners much.”