NEW DELHI:
Sunil Narine
's remarkable turnaround as a batter in the Indian Premier League 2024 has garnered widespread acclaim, notably from former England captain
Kevin Pietersen
. Narine's stellar all-round performance played a pivotal role in Kolkata Knight Riders' triumphant campaign, helping them secure their third IPL title.
At the start of the season, Pietersen was skeptical about KKR's decision to open with Narine, given his inconsistent batting performances in the past three seasons.
However, by the end of the tournament, Narine had not only silenced his critics but also won the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Player) award for his contributions.
Reflecting on Narine's transformation, Pietersen said on Star Sports, "It is amazing, it really is amazing what he did, because I was one of the most vocal critics at the start of the tournament, saying I didn't like Sunil Narine at the top of the order due to his inconsistency. He typically would hit a six and then get out, disrupting the momentum."
Narine's performance this season was a testament to his adaptability and skill. He scored 488 runs at a strike rate of 180.84 and took 17 wickets, showcasing his prowess both as a batsman and a bowler. KKR's mentor,
Gautam Gambhir
, played a crucial role in bringing Narine back as an opener, a decision that paid rich dividends.
Pietersen acknowledged Narine's significant improvement this season.
"This season, especially over the last couple of months, he has been consistent," Pietersen continued. "He's thought like a batter, batted like a batter, and got the runs of a batter. He has averaged more than many batters and his strike rate has been phenomenal. He's played both sides of the wicket exceptionally well. And, of course, we don't need to say much about his bowling — he is an out-and-out superstar. His ability to change his action and still produce such impressive numbers is quite something. He is the heart and soul of this outfit, isn't he?"
Former Australia opener
Matthew Hayden
also weighed in on Narine's performance and Pietersen's admission.
"All I heard from Kevin Pietersen in summary was that I was wrong about Sunil Narine," Hayden said on the same show. "We have to call it as we see it. It's as simple as that, but what you'll see about Kevin and all of us, is that when we're wrong, we love to see players prove themselves right. Absolutely. And that's exactly what Sunil Narine's done this IPL. He's been amazing."
Narine's resurgence as a top-order batsman and his consistent bowling performances were critical in KKR's journey to lift the
IPL 2024
trophy.
English (US) ·