Sunil Narine powers Kolkata to third IPL victory

Sunil Narine of the West Indies scored 85 runs to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant 106-run victory over Delhi Capitals, achieving the second-highest total in IPL history of 272-7.

This remarkable performance followed Sunrisers Hyderabad's record-breaking total of 277-3 just a week prior.

Kolkata, champions in 2012 and 2014, maintained their unbeaten streak this season by dismissing Delhi for 166 in 17.2 overs, securing the top spot in the 10-team table.

Despite Rishabh Pant's 55 off 25 balls and Tristan Stubbs' 54, the rest of Delhi's batting lineup struggled.

The match took place at Delhi's temporary home ground due to the upcoming general elections in India, where Narine and Kolkata dominated.

"Cricket revolves around batting, so contributing with the bat is satisfying, but I also take pleasure in my bowling," said Narine, a renowned all-rounder primarily known for his bowling skills.

He was awarded the man of the match for his performance, which included figures of 1-29 with his spin. "We bowled well on a good pitch and executed our plans effectively, showcasing a complete team effort tonight."

Narine, who was at the top of the batting order, launched a fierce attack against Delhi's bowlers by smashing seven fours and seven sixes in just 39 balls, achieving his highest T20 score in his 501st match.

Narine, aged 35, dominated Delhi seamer Ishant Sharma by scoring 26 runs in a single over, reaching his fifty in just 21 balls. He then partnered with teenage debutant Angkrish Raghuvanshi to put on 104 runs, with Raghuvanshi contributing 54 runs.

Following Narine's dismissal by Mitchell Marsh in the 13th over, Andre Russell stepped in and continued the onslaught with a quick 41 off 19 balls. Rinku Singh also played aggressively, scoring 26 runs in just eight balls, threatening to surpass Hyderabad's record total.

However, South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje dismissed Rinku in the 19th over, while Ishant Sharma bowled Russell with a yorker at the beginning of the 20th over. Despite their efforts, Kolkata fell just short of the record, with the innings featuring a total of 18 sixes and 22 fours.

Delhi struggled in their chase after losing four early wickets, including Marsh who was dismissed for a duck by fellow Australian Mitchell Starc within the first five overs. Starc, who was the most expensive buy in IPL history for Kolkata, also claimed the wicket of David Warner for 18 runs.

Pant and Stubbs managed to put on 93 runs for the fifth wicket before both fell to spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took three wickets. Medium-pacer Vaibhav Arora, acting as an impact substitute, also made an impact by claiming three wickets.