In a remarkable achievement, Sunil Narine, the all-rounder for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has surpassed Ravichandran Ashwin to claim the fifth position as the highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Narine reached a notable milestone in KKR’s recent encounter with Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens on Friday. In the course of the game, Narine demonstrated his prowess, securing one wicket while conceding just 24 runs in his four-over spell. His crucial dismissal of Rilee Rossouw in the 13th over propelled him past the Indian spinner, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Currently, the Caribbean cricketer has accumulated 173 wickets in the IPL across 170 matches and 169 innings, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.74. Notably, he has achieved four four-wicket hauls and secured just one five-wicket haul in the T20 tournament.
In comparison, Ashwin has taken 172 wickets from his appearances in 204 matches and 201 innings.
Yuzvendra Chahal currently holds the title of the highest wicket-taker in the IPL. Over the course of 153 matches, Chahal has impressively secured 200 wickets at an average of 21.37, boasting best figures of 5/40. Additionally, he has recorded six four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul throughout his IPL career.
PBKS vs KKR match summary
In the PBKS vs. KKR match, Punjab opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Subsequently, Sunil Narine (71) and Philip Salt (75) thrilled the crowd at Eden Gardens with a sensational batting performance, dismantling the Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowlers and propelling KKR to an impressive total of 261/6 in 20 overs.
Arshdeep Singh spearheaded the PBKS bowling attack, claiming two crucial wickets. Meanwhile, in an unforgettable run chase, Jonny Bairstow (108) and Shashank Singh (68) delivered an unbeaten masterclass, steering their team to a historic victory by successfully pursuing the massive target set by KKR.
After eight matches, KKR has clinched five victories, amassing 10 points in the IPL 2024 standings, securing the second position. Conversely, Punjab occupies the eighth position with six points, having won three out of nine games.