Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir insists his friendship with Kings XI Punjab star batsman Virender Sehwag will be pushed to the background when the two teams clash in the Indian Premier League final at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Gambhir and Sewhag have been India’s best opening combination in Tests scoring 4,412 runs in 50 matches at an impressive average of 52.52. They also come from the same state of Delhi and are very good friends. 

While lauding Sehwag’s brilliant 122 off 58 balls against Chennai Super Kings in the second qualifier on Friday, Gambhir stressed that no individual is greater than the team.

“A big-match player always puts his hands up on the big day and that is what Virender Sehwag did against the Chennai Super Kings," said Gambhir. 

“He was hitting the ball well throughout the tournament and it was just about spending more time at the crease. I was happy with the way he batted in the last game and I have always believed that he is the greatest match-winner India has ever had.”

When asked if his friendship would soften his approach when the two take the field against each other, Gambhir said: “For me no individual has ever been more important than the team.

“When we walk on the cricket field, we would be thinking of getting Sehwag out and he would be thinking of getting me out.

“We still have a lot of respect for each other, but friendships are meant to be off the cricket field and not on it,” he added. 

Punjab have lost twice to Kolkata in three meetings this season and Gambhir’s side are on a roll having won their last eight games.

The Kolkata captain, however, is not willing to take Punjab lightly.

“We rate the Kings XI as a very dangerous and quality side and we have to play well in all the three departments to beat a side like them.

“We need to do our things really well rather than thinking about the weakness of the opposition. That is how we have gone in this tournament and that is how we will go about tomorrow as well," he added. 

Meanwhile, Kolkata’s leading bowler Sunil Narine (20 wickets in 15 matches) has decided to play in the IPL final and skip the June 1 deadline to attend West Indies’ Test preparatory camp.

As a result he will miss the forthcoming Tests against New Zealand, the West Indies Cricket Board revealed. 

The WICB said that the 26-yearold will now not be considered for home Tests against New Zealand on June 8 and 30.

WICB Director of Cricket Richard Pybus said that under recent guidelines players must make themselves available for team preparations in order to be considered for Tests.

“The onus of the WICB is to protect the integrity of international cricket at all times,” said Pybus. “International cricket, and specifically Test cricket, is priority and requires dedicated preparation which is integral to team success."