Sunil Narine Shines Again in IPL
Former West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine has been honored with his third Indian Premier League (IPL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. This recognition came after a stellar performance by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their eight-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Narine’s Bowling Mastery
In the final, Narine took one for 16, bringing his season total to 17 wickets. His economical bowling played a key role in restricting SRH to just 113 runs in 19 overs.
KKR’s Dominant Chase
KKR’s chase was spearheaded by Rahman-ullah Gurbaz, who scored 39 off 32 balls, and Venkatesh Iyer, who remained unbeaten with 52 off 26 balls. Their ruthless 91-run partnership ensured KKR reached the target of 114 with 57 balls to spare, securing KKR their third IPL trophy.
Narine’s Batting Prowess
Although Narine was dismissed by SRH captain Pat Cummins after hitting a six off his first ball, he finished the season as KKR’s top scorer. He amassed 488 runs from 14 innings at an average of 34.85, including three fifties and a brilliant 109 against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens.
Calls for International Return
Narine’s remarkable season, which included his maiden T20 century, has fueled calls for his return to the West Indies team for the upcoming ICC men’s T20 World Cup. This comes after Narine announced his retirement late last year.
Comparison with Peers
Narine’s 488-run total was just 11 runs short of Nicholas Pooran’s 499. His 17 wickets were only two less than the 19 taken by all-rounder Andre Russell, who also performed admirably in the final with figures of three for 19.
A Triple MVP Champion
Narine’s MVP award for the 2024 season adds to his previous MVP titles from the 2012 season, where he took 24 wickets, and the 2018 season, where he showcased his all-round abilities by scoring 357 runs and taking 17 wickets.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)