Sunil Narine claims his third MVP award in IPL: Stats
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Sunrisers Hyderabad to claim the 2024 Indian Premier League title. KKR successfully chased down 114 to win the final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Sunil Narine starred with his all-round exploits for KKR, who claimed their third IPL title. Narine, who recorded the double of 450 runs and 15 wickets, was adjudged the season's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Multiple MVP awards in IPL
Narine was named the MVP in two other seasons. He racked up 357 runs and 17 wickets in 2018, where he powered KKR with his all-round performances. The KKR spinner was also the Player of the Tournament in KKR's 2012 title-winning campaign, his debut season. He took the second-most wickets that year (24 scalps at 13.50).
The advent of MVP award
It is worth noting that the MVP award was introduced in 2013, with Shane Watson becoming its first recipient. Before that season, Watson (2008), Adam Gilchrist (2009), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Chris Gayle (2011), and Narine (2012) won the player-of-the-tournament awards.
Most runs for KKR; 17 wickets
Narine, the prodigious mystery spinner, was on fire throughout IPL 2024. He gave KKR flying starts alongside his opening partner Phil Salt, who later departed on national duty. Narine overall smashed 488 runs at an incredible strike-rate of 180.74. He slammed the most runs for KKR. The Caribbean spinner also took 17 wickets with an economy rate of 6.69.
Narine's maiden T20 ton
In Match 31 against Rajasthan Royals, Narine slammed his maiden century in T20 cricket. He scored a fiery 56-ball 109 (13 fours and 6 sixes). Narine became KKR's third centurion after Brendon McCullum (158* versus RCB, 2008) and Venkatesh Iyer (104 vs MI, 2023). He became the third player after Rohit Sharma and Watson to record a hat-trick and a century in the IPL.
Hundred and multiple wickets in an IPL game
In the same match, Narine also took two wickets (2/30). He became only the third player to score a hundred and take at least one wicket in an IPL match. He joined Chris Gayle (twice) and Shane Watson (twice) in this regard.
Other notable feats for Narine
During the tournament, Narine became the first player to complete the double of 1,500 runs and 150 wickets for a franchise in the IPL. He became the first-ever player to record the double of 500 runs and 15 wickets in a season. Narine is also the only player with a century and a five-wicket haul in IPL history.
