Sunil Narine’s rampage in the 2024 IPL continues to send shivers down the spines of opponents. The Kolkata Knight Riders‘ all-rounder wasn’t just destructive with the bat against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG); he was economical with the ball as well, showcasing his all-around dominance.
Sunil Narine scorching knock
Sunil Narine’s blistering 81 runs off just 39 balls left everyone spellbound. His knock, laced with six boundaries and seven towering sixes, propelled KKR to a commanding total. This was his fourth fifty-plus score of the season, marking a remarkable resurgence for the player.
Risky yet rewarding approach: Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine’s batting wasn’t textbook perfect. He swung wildly, missed connections, and relied on a bit of luck with fielders misjudging certain balls. However, despite a control percentage of just 49%, his clean hitting and ability to find the boundary repeatedly proved devastating.
Well-Oiled partnership sets stage
Sunil Narine wasn’t a lone warrior. He found a valuable partner in Philip Salt (32) as they stitched together a solid 61-run opening partnership.
Later, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (32) joined the party, adding another 79 runs with Narine, who played the aggressor in this partnership. Marcus Stoinis, at the receiving end of three sixes in a single over by Narine, felt the brunt of the onslaught.
Sunil Narine: A Statistical Force
The numbers speak for themselves. Sunil Narine currently sits third in the IPL’s orange cap race with 452 runs at a staggering strike rate of 183. He also leads the league in sixes with a whopping 31, a testament to his power-hitting prowess.
While his batting dominance is undeniable, his bowling shouldn’t be overlooked. He occupies the sixth position in the purple cap race with 13 wickets and boasts the second-best economy rate at a miserly 6.72.
- 3rd in orange cap list (most runs list) – 452 runs (SR of 183)
- 1st in number of sixes – 31 sixes
- 6th in purple cap list (most wickets list) – 13 wickets
- 2nd in the list of bowling economy – 6.72
Elite company for Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine’s all-around brilliance this season places him in elite company. He joins the likes of Shane Watson (2008 & 2013) and Jacques Kallis (2010) as the only players to score over 450 runs and take at least 13 wickets in an IPL season.
KKR Milestone for Sunil Narine
This match marked another milestone for Narine. He became the seventh player to cross the 1,500-run mark for KKR, currently boasting an average of 17.32 and a strike rate of 166.34.
He also holds the distinction of being the first player to achieve the double of 1,500 runs and 150 wickets for a single franchise in the IPL.
More on IPL 2024:
KKR undying faith rewarded on Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine’s resurgence is a story of unwavering belief. Over the past 12 years, he has faced challenges with injuries, form fluctuations, and scrutiny regarding his bowling action. However, KKR stood by him throughout, and Narine is repaying that faith with a season to remember.
Fairytale Script with IPL 2024 trophy?
Sunil Narine, who played a pivotal role in KKR’s championship victories in 2012 and 2014, could be scripting another dream run for the team a decade later. His current form is a warning sign for all opposition teams – underestimating Sunil Narine in the 2024 IPL could prove to be a costly mistake.
