Sunil Narine has been making waves in the TATA IPL 2024 season with his explosive batting and spin skills
Oh, we can’t deny that the West Indian all-rounder is currently having a great season with his team, Kolkata Knight Riders. It does seem that he’s very much determined to make a lasting impression on India’s most prestigious cricket tournament this year.
But before you check latest IPL 2024 predictions to see if things are looking good for Narine and KKR, let’s take a closer look at his IPL journey and how he’s been performing this year.
Sunil Narine’s Journey to the IPL
Narine started playing cricket in Trinidad and Tobago, where he pretty much grew up. However, it was in the West Indies domestic circuit where his skills were noticed before earning a call-up to the national team in 2011.
It’s his unique bowling action and ability to bamboozle batters that quickly made him a sought-after talent in international cricket.
However, concerns over the legality of his bowling action led to a temporary ban. In 2015, Sunil Narine was banned from bowling in international cricket after his action was judged to be illegal.
An independent assessment ruled that the 27-year-old from Trinidad bent his elbow beyond the 15-degree limit in all variations of his deliveries. Undeterred, Narine worked tirelessly on remodeling his action to comply with regulations.
In 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) snapped him up in the IPL auction, and the rest, as they say, is history.
There have been reports that Narine would retire from the IPL despite his achievements, but he has remained loyal to KKR, dispelling those concerns. “The IPL is a tournament I cherish, and I have no plans to retire from it anytime soon,” he said in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo.
Narine Finally Making an Impact
Sunil Narine’s IPL journey has been a rollercoaster, but the 2024 season marks a thrilling comeback for the West Indian all-rounder.
He has sprung into the spotlight as a feared T20 opener for the Kolkata Knight Riders, creating a formidable partnership with Phil Salt, after years of unrealized batting promise.
Although Narine has been a vital component of KKR’s bowling attack since 2012, his development into a true all-rounder is more evident this season. A notable instance was his 500th T20 game. Narine scored 47 runs off of 22 balls in a game involving Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for KKR. Because of that, he was able to win Player of the Match as a result.
His batting prowess in IPL 2024 is undeniable. Narine smashed a personal best of 85 runs against the Delhi Capitals at a strike rate of 217.94, with 12 total sixes throughout the season.
He took three wickets at a best of 1/40, demonstrating that he hasn’t forgotten his bowling roots. In addition, Narine created history by taking 69 wickets at Eden Gardens, breaking Lasith Malinga’s record for most wickets in a single location.
Narine’s contribution of 15 runs off of 10 deliveries in this record-breaking game against the Delhi Capitals further demonstrated his all-around effectiveness.
With his outstanding performance, Narine is now only behind Virat Kohli in second place on the Orange Cap list.
What Else to Expect From Narine
As the IPL 2024 season unfolds, the buzz around Narine promises to intensify. Pundits are praising his fearless batting approach and anticipate more explosive innings. His partnership with Phil Salt remains a focal point, with experts predicting continued chaos for opposing bowlers.
Narine’s bowling remains a major weapon. His miserly economy rate consistently keeps the runs in check, frustrating batsmen. Remarkably, in 28 games he’s the only spinner with an economy under 7.0, showcasing his ability to consistently choke the run flow.
Keep a close eye on when Narine faces RCB. Analysts point to his impressive statistics against them – a jaw-dropping average of 11.83 and a strike rate of 151.67. He has a knack for dominating RCB, and those match-ups could see him shift the momentum decisively in KKR’s favor.
Conclusion
Sunil Narine’s IPL 2024 comeback has been incredible to witness. His newfound batting power, combined with his always-dangerous spin, makes him a true force for KKR.
As the tournament heats up, Narine’s ability to dominate with both bat and ball will be a major factor in KKR’s bid for the championship. His fans are also surely looking forward to seeing if he’ll be getting any special awards this year. So far, he’s a good candidate for the Orange Cap.