MUMBAI, India (CMC) – Under-fire West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders for the upcoming Indian Premier League season, despite currently being banned from bowling in international cricket.

The 27-year-old Narine, a key member of KKR’s squad over the last several seasons, was banned by the International Cricket Council last November after his action was found to be illegal.

He had been reported by umpires following the third One-Day International against Sri Lanka in Pallekele earlier that month.

Despite this, KKR have opted to retain the Trinidadian ahead of the new IPL season, which runs from April 9 to May 23.

This is against the backdrop of a move by the West Indies Cricket Board to bar Narine from playing in the domestic One-Day championship set to bowl off Thursday.

In announcing Narine’s suspension last November, the ICC said the player would be banned from bowling in all domestic tournaments internationally but would be allowed to play in Caribbean events, with permission from the WICB.

Narine is one of five West Indies players to be retained by their franchises for the new season.

He is joined by all-rounder Andre Russell who will again suit up for KKR, while champions Mumbai Indians have also retained the pair of Kieron Pollard and Lendl Simmons.

Big-hitting opener Chris Gayle has been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore, but West Indies Twenty20 captain Darren Sammy had no such luck as he was dumped by the franchise.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will turn out for Rajkot, one of two new franchises debuting in the new season.

Rajkot, along with Pune, replace the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.