Sunil Narine, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) star all-rounder, is enjoying a phenomenal IPL 2024 campaign. Despite announcing his international retirement in November 2023, Narine continues to dominate in the IPL, both with his bowling and his batting prowess.
Narine: A Dual Threat from KKR
Narine’s bowling figures in KKR’s recent victory against the Lucknow Super Giants were a testament to his economical and wicket-taking abilities. He conceded a mere 17 runs in his four overs while scalping a crucial wicket. Â
However, his impact extends beyond the bowling attack. Opening the batting for KKR, Narine has amassed 167 runs so far in the tournament, averaging a healthy 33.40 and boasting an impressive strike rate of 183.51. He’s undoubtedly a key factor behind KKR’s resurgence in IPL 2024.
No T20 World Cup Return for Narine
While fans might have hoped for a potential return to the West Indies team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Narine has firmly quashed those expectations. When questioned by Samuel Badree about his T20 World Cup plans, Narine’s response was clear: “I will be watching it from my home.” This confirms his commitment to staying away from international cricket, a decision he made in late 2023.
Narine has represented the West Indies in 122 international matches across formats â six Tests, 65 ODIs, and 51 T20Is. However, since 2019, he hasn’t donned the maroon West Indies jersey. The past five years have seen him concentrate primarily on excelling in franchise tournaments like the IPL.
KKR Off to a Strong Start
The Kolkata Knight Riders are currently enjoying a dream run in IPL 2024, having secured victories in five out of their first six matches. Speaking about the team’s performance, Narine attributes their success to a positive and enjoyable atmosphere within the squad. “We have won two out of two (matches at home). The boys are keen and everyone is enjoying it. Once you enjoy, you will have fun,” he stated.
While Narine couldn’t contribute significantly with the bat in their recent win against the Lucknow Super Giants, Phil Salt emerged as the star of the show. The English opener impressed everyone with a blazing 47-ball 89, propelling KKR towards a comfortable eight-wicket victory. Narine, recognizing Salt’s contribution, commented, “He has played well in every game. He has shown some fine form and hopefully he’ll keep going and get some big runs.”
With Narine’s all-around brilliance and KKR’s overall momentum, the team appears well-positioned to continue their winning streak in IPL 2024. While fans might miss seeing him in the West Indies colours at the T20 World Cup, his dominance in the IPL continues to be a spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
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