IPL 2024: Sunil Narine's 81 propel KKR to 235 against LSG

KKR opener Sunil Narine during his 81 v LSG yesterday. Pic/PTI

It required the brilliance of Kolkata Knight Riders's (KKR) batters to breach the 200-run mark for the first time in a T20 match at the Ekana Stadium last night. It was in-form opener Sunil Narine, who led the charge, with a superb 81 from a mere 39 balls as KKR, put in to bat, ran up a massive 235-6 in their 20 overs. The hapless Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) bowlers were taken to the cleaners as fours and sixes flowed from the bats of the KKR batters much to the delight of the near-full house.

LSG captain KL Rahul took a big risk in asking KKR to bat first, as their openers Phil Salt and Narine are capable of taking a match away in the Powerplay itself. And that's exactly what happened, as Salt and Narine collected 61 in 4.2 overs. Though Salt departed after making 32, he had set the stage for the remaining batters to continue the rampage rarely seen at this venue.

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At the time of going to press, LSG were 77-3 in 8.2 overs. Earlier, Narine went on to hit six fours and seven sixes during his innings, with a few of them landing in the stands of this huge stadium. He seemed well on his way to his second IPL century this season, but in trying to hit his eighth six, was caught on the long-off boundary off Ravi Bishnoi. His departure did slow down the tempo a bit, but the subsequent batters played cameos to help KKR post a total that will require some getting.

The highest T20 target achieved here was 196 by the Rajasthan Royals just last week. On three occasions a team has come near the 200-run mark at this venue, but fell short by one run. LSG had made 199-8 against Punjab Kings at the start of this IPL season, while Rajasthan Royals had posted 199-3, chasing LSG's 196-5 last month. The highest T20 score here in an international match was also
199-2 made by India against Sri Lanka in 2022.

Brief scores
KKR 235-6 in 20 overs (S Narine 81, P Salt 32, A Raghuvanshi 32; Naveen-ul-Haq 3-49) v LSG (scores incomplete)