Sunil Narine nearly achieved a hattrick of sixes, followed by a boundary, showcasing his impressive batting skills. His performance took fans back to a memorable IPL evening in 2017 when Narine, while opening the innings, showcased his destructive abilities against Royal Challengers Bangalore with a score of 54 off 17 balls, including four sixes and six fours. At that time, his 15-ball 50 was the fastest in IPL history, now ranking as the fourth fastest.
Reflecting on his batting prowess, Narine mentioned in an interview with Kolkata Knight Riders’ website how opponents underestimated his abilities in the past. Partnered with Chris Lynn, the duo set a record by amassing 105/0 in the powerplay, a feat unmatched until then. In his 500th T20 match, Narine replicated his impactful performance, scoring 47 off 22 balls with a remarkable strike rate of 213.64, leading Kolkata Knight Riders to victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Narine holds a commendable batting record against RCB, with 279 runs in 11 innings at an average of 31 and a strike rate of 195.10. His journey as a batsman began in 2017 when he transitioned to an opener for both Melbourne Renegades and KKR, drawing inspiration from his late father, a devoted fan of cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar. In a noteworthy match against RCB, Narine astonished spectators with his aggressive approach, proving his mettle as a reliable opener for the team.
Despite facing challenges as bowlers strategized against him with short balls, Narine continued to evolve his batting style. While his highest IPL score of 75 came in 2018 against KXIP, his effectiveness as an opener diminished over time. However, his recent performances alongside fellow KKR stalwart Andre Russell indicate a resurgence of form, showcasing their valuable contributions to the team in the ongoing IPL season.
