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The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been exciting. There have been low-scoring games and high-scoring thrillers as well, from brilliant centuries to super over the 19th edition have seen some of the best moments so far in the tournament. Virat Kohli has been in sensational form this season and is looking to win the Orange Cap this season.
During IPL 2026, who has earned the title of ‘King’ for his heroics in the game of cricket, now has another player fighting for the same nickname. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) veteran spinner Sunil Narine was named as the new king of the tournament by their CEO Venky Mysore. The veteran spinner has been excellent over the years for the Knights.
Sunil Narine 'the GOAT' for KKR?
After earning 200 IPL wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sunil Narine became the first overseas star in the rich cash league to reach this feat, and also the first player to do so for a single franchise. The KKR CEO hailed Sunil Narine as the new king of IPL. Narine achieved the feat after picking the wicket of Salil Arora in the match.
With Narine's outstanding spell of 2/31 in his four overs, KKR won their third straight tournament against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 7 wickets. During the post-match presentation, Mysore praised Narine as the new king and presented him with a special gift.
I have never seen that before- Venky Mysore
“This is the first time I am seeing; I just double checked with the king. This is the first time I am seeing him opening the bowling, and of course, his bowling powerplay. We have seen him do all kinds of things," Venky Mysore stated during post-match presentation.
"But today, when he had the ball in hand, I said, This is the first for me. I have never seen that before, but two in a row, and they set the tone beautifully there. But amazing the whole bowling unit, so I thought today, with 200 wickets, we have got to give King the game changer,” added Mysore in the dressing room.
Sunil Narine and Virat Kohli two greats of IPL
Sunil Narine and Virat Kohli are two of the veterans of the game, and the only two cricketers to play for a single franchise since they arrived at the IPL. The two experienced campaigners have been excellent for their respective franchises. Kohli, who is the leading run-getter in the tournament (9,040*) and defending champion with RCB.
On the other hand, Narine made his IPL debut in 2012 for KKR and has been taking wickets regularly for the franchise, and has been a match-winner for them since his inception. He is the only cricketer to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award thrice in the IPL. The West Indies all-rounder won in 2012, 2018, and 2024.
Narine has 201 wickets in 126 innings. He is the third leading wicket-taker in IPL history. He has also won the IPL thrice with the Knights in 2012, 2014, and 2024. The 37-year-old all-rounder will be looking to continue picking wickets and delivering match-winning performances for KKR.
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