Picture Credit: X/IPL
On Tuesday, April 16, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star signee and all-rounder Sunil Narine wreaked havoc after scoring his maiden career century in match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2024. Not only did he perform with the bat, putting up crucial 109 runs off 56 deliveries, he also finished with the figures of 2/30 in his four-over spell with the ball.
After his century knock to help KKR post 223 on the board, the veteran of the game was asked if he will feature in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in West Indies and the USA in June this year. However, Su nil Narine put his participation under cloud as he said, “It is what it is, but we will have to see what the future holds.”
Pollard, Bravo and Pooran can crack this code: Rovman Powell on Sunil Narine in T20 WC squad
But during the post-match presentation, West Indies T20I skipper Rovman Powell, who is plying his trade for the Rajasthan Royals revealed that there have been talks around it from last couple of months. It is to be noted that Narine last played for West Indies in August 2019 and in November 2023, he called off curtains to his international career.
“For the last 12 odd months, I have been whispering in his [Narine’s] ears; he’s blocked out everyone (chuckles). I asked Pollard, Bravo, and Pooran; hopefully, before they [West Indies selectors] select the team, they can crack this code,” Rovman Powell told during the post-match presentation.
Speaking of the match 31 in IPL 2024, the KKR was invited to bat first at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. On the back of a 109-run knock from Sunil Narine and some crucial cameos from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh, the side posted 223 runs on the board. In return, the Sanju Samson-led side chased down the total in a last-ball thriller to register biggest run-chase in IPL history.
With wickets falling from the other end, England keeper-batter Jos Buttler stuck to the crease with his 107* off 60 balls to help the RR finish on the side of the victory line. With this win, the Royals consolidated their position at the top of the points table with 12 points already to their name.