Home
By defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 eliminator, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) confirmed their berth in second qualifier. Sunil Narine not only took four key RCB wickets, but also blasted three sixes in one over to help KKR win the match. In the eliminator, a unique coincidence between Narine and Virat Kohli resurfaced, which will lift the spirits of KKR and their supporters.
Kohli-Narine Coincidence
Narine’s four wickets in the match included uncapped player Srikar Bharat, Virat Kohli and overseas batters AB de Villiers, and Glenn Maxwell. However, this is the first time in six years, the mystery spinner has been able to dismiss Kohli. It is also the first time in seven years that Narine has dismissed Kohli in any format of the game. The last time Kohli lost his wicket to the Caribbean spinner, KKR won their second IPL trophy. In IPL 2014, Kohli was dismissed by Narine for 38 runs in a league game whereas in the eliminator he departed after scoring 39 runs.
Sunil surpasses Malinga
The 33-year-old Narine got four wickets for just 21 runs against RCB, passing Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Lasith Malinga to become the bowler with the most four-wicket hauls (8). Because of Narine's magic spell, KKR restricted RCB for just 138 and went on to win the match by six wickets. Next, they will face Delhi Capitals (DC) in second qualifier which will be played on October 13.
Narine is back in the form
In the entire season, Sunil was looking off-colour with just 10 wickets from 11 games before the eliminator. Also, he was wicket-less in the last two matches. But, KKR backed him to perform in the big game and the veteran did not disappoint.
