KKR vs SRH: 'Support from Gautam Gambhir was...' - Sunil Narine delighted after winning IPL 2024 MVP award on his birthday

KKR all-rounder Sunil Narine notched up his third MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the IPL after he was named the Player of the tournament in IPL 2024. He ended the season with 488 runs and 17 wickets.

Narine was on the cusp of becoming the first player ever to score more than 500 runs and pick up more than 15 wickets on the eve of the match but fell short by just 12 runs. Nonetheless, he was very impactful for KKR throughout the season with both bat and ball. He is also the only member from their 2012 title-winning campaign to have played in the 2024 season as well.

He took one for 16 with the ball against SRH and scored six off just two balls. Though he was dismissed early with the bat, Venkatesh Iyer (52*) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39) ensured that KKR reached the target in a very professional manner. KKR won the match by 8 wickets in the end with 57 balls to spare. In the process, they gave SRH no chance to keep their foot in the final.

Speaking at the post-match presentation about KKR's third title win and his own performance, he gave due credit to Gautam Gambhir for backing him to the hilt for performing the role with the bat that he did for his side. Gambhir's decision to send him to open the batting with Phil Salt paid rich dividends for his franchise.

Support From GG Was Very Good: Sunil Narine On Gautam Gambhir

"Coming into the ground today, it felt like 2012. The feeling is overwhelming and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift. I am enjoying my cricket at the moment - batting, bowling and fielding. What helps is when the team is winning. (Batting) Getting the role to just go out there and express myself, getting team off to a flyer, the support from GG - that was very good. Salty played an incredible season," said Narine.

He further lauded Rahmanullah Guraz for replacing Phil Salt in the best possible way chipping in with crucial contributions with the bat. In the final as well he scored 39 off 32 balls as he anchored the chase for his side.

"We missed him but Gurbaz came in and filled the role. Once you have an opening partner with the same intent, it's good for the team," Narine said on Gurbaz.

The KKR mystery spinner also kept a word on the entire bowling unit giving them due credit for the team's success. KKR bowling attack cumulatively took the most wickets by a particular team in this IPL campaign. Varun Chakrvarthy is the second-highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets. Mitchell Starc ended the season with 17 as Russell and Harshit picked up 19 each. Vaibhav Arora picked up 11 wickets for the season.

"We always pick early wickets, when we come to bowl, we bowl with less pressure. As a total bowling unit, picking up wickets is key and it helped us win the title," said Narine lauding the bowling attack.

Interestingly, KKR won their third IPL title on Sunil Narine's 36th birthday with him winning the Player of the Tournament award as well. The season caps off his best season personally in the IPL one which ended with a title win