‘Sunil Narine’s Return For KKR’: The second-highest IPL run scorer hits ‘First’ in memes
After putting on yet another outstanding show at the top of the order against Punjab Kings on Friday, Sunil Narine surged to the second position in the Orange Cap competition for the IPL 2024. With a flurry of boundaries and sixes, his lightning-fast 71 off only 32 balls ignited the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) innings and put them on fire. Fans have been riveted to their screens, waiting for the left-hander’s next huge knock, thanks to his unbelievable form this season.
Fans flooded social media with memes and jokes in response to Narine’s brilliant run at the Orange Cap, which is now held by Virat Kohli, as his brilliance lit up the pitch.
Phil Salt, Narine’s opening partner, too joined the festivities with a brilliant 72 off 37 balls, making a formidable first wicket partnership of 138 runs. But Rahul Chahar, a spinner for the Punjab Kings, ended the partnership when he removed Narine in the eleventh over, providing a vital turning point in the match. Soon after, Sam Curran, filling in for Punjab’s captain, scored a goal that forced Salt to return to the pavilion.
Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell steadied the ship and led KKR beyond the 200-run threshold in spite of the losses. However, Arshdeep Singh of Punjab stepped in and took out Russell at the very moment when he seemed to be the most dangerous. After that, KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer scorched 28 off of 10 balls before succumbing to Arshdeep Singh’s skill.
Venkatesh Iyer was run out on the penultimate ball of the inning, while Rinku Singh’s bat stayed quiet, falling to Harshal Patel in the last over. But it was the assault of the openers that drove KKR to an enormous 261/6 in their 20 overs allocated.
KKR’s enormous total, however, was unable to stop the Punjab Kings, as they were driven to the greatest T20 run-chase by the blazing century of Jonny Bairstow and the undefeated 68-run innings of Shashank Singh, who accomplished the incredible feat of winning with 10 balls remaining.
