All eyes were on Sunil Narine when Kolkata Knight Riders took on Mumbai Indians in IPL 8 opener on Wednesday. The mystery spinner was making a comeback in the competitive cricket after almost one year, with a remodelled action.

The match turned out to be a mix bag for the offie. On one end, he managed to emerge out as an economical bowler by conceding mere 28 runs in his four overs. But on the other, the spinner failed to claim a single wicket.

Eventhough, Narine was not up to the mark, KKR managed to launch their title defence on a perfect note as they beat Mumbai Indians convincingly by seven-wicket in the opening match of the season.

Chasing 169 for a win, Gambhir’s 43-ball 57 (7×4, 1×6) led the KKR charge, while Suryakumar’s unbeaten 46 off 20 deliveries helped them canter to the target in 18.3 overs.

But it was the 85-run second wicket partnership between Gambhir and No.3 Manish Pandey (40) that set up the chase. There was some respite after the visitors dismissed the duo but, ironically, they found their nemesis in a Suryakumar, who led Mumbai in Ranji Trophy this season. Corey Anderson, Jasprit Bumrah and Harbhajan Singh picked up a wicket each. Earlier, Rohit Sharma showed why Eden Gardens is special to him as he followed up his ODI world record 264 (vs Sri Lanka in November, 2013) with an entertaining and unbeaten 98 off 65 balls (12×4, 4×6). Umesh Yadav bore the brunt of Sharma’s fury as six of his 12 boundaries came against the ace India speedster.