Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season against Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens, posting a mammoth 247/2 in 20 overs before sealing a 29-run victory. While Finn Allen’s explosive 93 grabbed headlines during the First innings, Sunil Narine once again proved why he remains KKR’s biggest match-winner with the ball on flat batting tracks.
On a surface where bowlers were disappearing into the stands regularly, Sunil Narine managed to create pressure through discipline, variation, and clever use of pace. His spell became the turning point in a high-scoring thriller where every over carried massive importance.
GT Begin the Chase with Positive Intent
Chasing a gigantic target of 248. Gujarat Titans knew they had to attack from the start. The opening batters looked aggressive during the powerplay and kept the required run rate under control initially. The batting-friendly pitch allowed stroke-makers to play freely, and GT crossed 49 runs before losing their first wicket.
Shubman Gill looked in superb touch during the chase, timing the ball beautifully through the off-side and targeting loose deliveries whenever KKR missed their lengths. Jos Buttler also joined the attack in the middle overs as Gujarat attempted to stay alive in the contest.
However, despite the flow of boundaries, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane trusted Narine to deliver a breakthrough when the game started slipping away.
Sunil Narine Outsmarts GT Batters on a Batting Paradise
Sunil Narine bowled with remarkable control despite the pitch heavily favouring batters. The experienced spinner finished with figures of 2/29 in four overs, maintaining an economy of just 7.25 while almost every other bowler struggled badly.
Sunil Narine’s biggest contribution came through his ability to break partnerships at crucial moments. Instead of searching for excessive turn, he relied on subtle variations in pace and trajectory, forcing GT batters into mistakes. His tight overs increased the pressure and pushed Gujarat behind the required rate during the middle phase of the innings.
While Kartik Tyagi conceded 59 runs in his four overs and Varun Chakravarthy leaked 47, Sunil Narine maintained exceptional control and gave away just 29 runs. on a flat batting-friendly wicket, his accuracy, clever variations, and experience made a huge difference for KKR’s bowling attack.
Shubman Gill’s Dismissal Changes the Match CompletelyÂ
The turning point when Gujarat lost Shubman Gill at 177/2 in the 17th over. Gill had anchored the chase brilliantly and looked capable of producing something special but he was undone by Sunil Narine. But once he departed, the required run rate climbed sharply beyond control.
KKR’s bowlers sensed the opportunity immediately. Cameron Green bowled during the middle overs, while Saurabh Dubey also chipped in with an important wicket. Gujarat continued fighting until the final over, but the asking rate eventually became too steep.
Despite finishing with an impressive 218/4, GT still ended up 29 runs short of the target.
Sunil Narine Once Again Proves His Value
In a match dominated by explosive batting and massive sixes, Sunil Narine reminded everyone that smart bowling can still decide T20 contests. His spell on a flat Eden Gardens surface was a masterclass in control, game awareness, and pressure bowling.
While Finn Allen’s 93 powered KKR to a huge total, Narine’s calm and calculated spell ensured Gujarat Titans never truly gained control of the chase. On the pitch designed for batters, Narine once again foxed the opposition and proved why he remains one of the most dangerous T20 bowlers in world cricket.
Also Read:Â KKR vs GT: Finn Allen’s Hail-Storm Rips Apart GT