IPL 2022: Decoding the performance of Sunil Narine against PBKS
What's the story
Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Punjab Kings in match number eight of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Friday.
For KKR, all-rounder Sunil Narine has been one of their biggest match winners, especially against PBKS.
He fared well against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore in KKR's first two games of this season, respectively.
Here are his stats against PBKS.
Record
Leading wicket-taker against PBKS
Narine is the leading wicket-taker against PBKS with 31 wickets from 21 games.
Moreover, the spinner has an incredible economy rate of 6.97 against the Punjab-based franchise.
His career-best performance (5/19) also came against Punjab during IPL 2012.
Overall, Narine is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in IPL, having picked 144 wickets in 136 games at a brilliant economy rate of 6.69.
Contest
Sunil Narine against PBKS batters
Since his IPL debut in 2012, Narine has come across as one of the most hostile spinners in the IPL.
Explosive PBKS opener Shikhar Dhawan has managed to score 85 runs off 75 balls against him, while the spinner has dismissed him twice.
Narine has also dismissed PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal (38 off 27) and Shahrukh Khan (9 off 8) twice and once, respectively.
Analysis
Narine can bowl in the Powerplay
Narine has been effective during the powerplay overs in the IPL.
He has picked 24 wickets with an impressive economy of 6.52 and has managed to keep the scoring rate of some of the best batting line-ups in check during the first six overs.
Out of 780 deliveries he has bowled during this phase, 384 have been dot balls.
Milestone
Narine eyes the 150-wicket mark in IPL
With 144 wickets from 136 games, Narine is just six scalps shy of achieving the special milestone of claiming 150 wickets in the IPL.
Only five other bowlers have reached the 150-wicket mark in the history of the tournament.
R Ashwin (145), Bhuvneshvar Kumar (143), and Yuzvendra Chahal (142) are other bowlers who can enter the elite club this season.
Statistics
Narine's stats at Wankhede
The forthcoming match between KKR and PBKS will be held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Narine will have the crucial responsibility of keeping the opposition's flow of runs in control, given the batting-friendly nature of the track.
As of now, Narine has taken 11 wickets at an economy of 6.71 at this venue.
The mystery spinner averages 23.90 here.