Unfair to compare Cariappa with Narine: Gambhir

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said on Tuesday it is unfair to compare their new "mystery" spinner K.C. Cariappa with veteran offie Sunil Narine as the Indian has a long way to go before he can be put on the same page as the West Indies bowler.

Cariappa made an eventful debut against Royal challengers Bangalore on Saturday as he was clobbered for 28 in his two overs, but managed to pick up the wicket of Royal Challengers Bangalore star South African batsman AB De Villiers.

Cariappa has been identified as KKR's new spin sensation and successor to Narine's bowling abilities in the team.

"He is a good bowler, but you cannot compare him to Sunil right now, with time he will settle down," Gambhir told reporters in a south Kolkata mall.

Speaking on Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has left the team to fulfil his national commitments, the skipper said: "Shakib is an important member, not having him in the team will lead to a change in combination. It will be a huge loss, but I hope when he comes back, he can play in the playoffs."

Bangladesh are hosting Pakistan for three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), two Test matches and one Twenty20 International to be played from from April 17 to May 10.

He would, however, return to India in the latter stages of the tournament, which ends on May 24.