Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Sunil Narine was over the moon after being named the ‘Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Season’ in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Narine, who picked up 17 wickets and aggregated 488 runs in KKR’s triumphant campaign, stated that lifting the IPL trophy on his birthday was the best gift he could have received.
KKR clinched the IPL 2024 title with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final at Chepauk on Sunday (May 26).
Recalling the experience of playing the title clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Narine remarked: "Coming into the ground today, it felt like 2012. The feeling is overwhelming and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift. I am enjoying my cricket at the moment - batting, bowling and fielding. What helps is when the team is winning."
Sunil Narine acknowledged the support of KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir as a major factor in his performance.
"Getting the role to just go out there and express myself, getting the team off to a flyer, the support from GG - that was very good. Salty played an incredible season. We missed him but Gurbaz came in and filled the role. Once you have an opening partner with the same intent, it's good for the team. We always pick early wickets, when we come to bowl, we bowl with less pressure. As a total bowling unit, picking up wickets is key and it helped us win the title," he remarked.
In the final, SRH’s innings folded for a paltry 113 in 18.3 overs after opting to bat first. It was a listless batting display as no one managed to touch the 30-run mark. Skipper Pat Cummins was the top scorer with 24 off 19 balls.
Mitchell Starc starred with the ball for KKR, returning with the figures of 2 for 14 in three overs. Andre Russel (3-19), Harshit Rana (2-24) and Vaibhav Arora (1-24) shared three wickets among them.
In reply, KKR overhauled the target with eight wickets and 57 deliveries to spare. While Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 39 off 32 balls at the top, Venkatesh Iyer stayed unbeaten on 52 off 26 balls to seal the deal.
