Sunil Narine, the all-rounder for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), made history after their victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season.
Sunil Narine stands out as the only player who has been part of all three of Kolkata Knight Riders’ title-winning campaigns. The seasoned spin bowler, who joined the Knight Riders in the 2012 season, contributed significantly to their victories in 2012 and 2014 under the leadership of the legendary Gautam Gambhir.
Recently, Narine was named the Player of the Tournament for his stellar performances with both bat and ball in the latest IPL season. This is his third such award, having previously won it in 2012 and 2018. Narine is now the first player in IPL history to earn this accolade three times.
In the 17th season of the IPL, Narine showcased exceptional form for the Kolkata-based franchise, scoring 488 runs and taking 17 wickets. In the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he delivered a tight four-over spell, taking one wicket for 16 runs, including the crucial dismissal of Jaydev Unadkat in the 18th over. During the run chase, Narine played a brief yet impactful innings, scoring six runs off two balls at a strike rate of 300.
Throughout IPL 2024, Narine was promoted to the opening position for the Knight Riders. Partnering with Phil Salt, the Trinidadian provided aggressive starts, amassing 488 runs in 15 matches. He maintained an average of 34.85 and an impressive strike rate of 180.74, highlighted by one century and three fifties.
Narine has consistently demonstrated his prowess in both batting and bowling this season. Recognized as the ‘Most Valuable Player’ for KKR, he has frequently credited Gautam Gambhir for his skill development. He attributes his batting revival to the support and backing from Gambhir, his former skipper and now mentor of the franchise.
When Narine joined KKR in 2012, Gambhir, the captain of KKR at that time, recognized his potential and gave him the confidence to thrive. Gambhir’s strategic acumen allowed Narine to exploit his strengths as a spin bowler, often using him in critical situations to dismantle opponents’ batting lineups. This holistic backing from Gambhir not only honed Narine’s skills but also instilled a sense of belief, enabling him to perform consistently under pressure and secure numerous match-winning performances for KKR.
