"If Sunil Narine hadn't scored runs.."- Zaheer Khan reveals how the West Indian has made life easy for Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian pacer and cricket expert Zaheer Khan is really impressed with Sunil Narine's red-hot form with the bat, considering it a "luxury and a double bonus" for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Zaheer’s comments came after Narine showcased his value with the bat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 31st game of the ongoing IPL 2024 at Eden Gardens, where the Caribbean spin all-rounder smashed his maiden IPL century on April 16.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder hammered a stunning knock of 109 runs off 56 balls laced with 13 fours and 6 sixes to take his team’s total of 223/6 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

Zaheer Khan impressed with Sunil Narine's performance as an opener in the IPL 2024

However, Kolkata suffered a 2-wicket defeat against Rajasthan, but Narine's stellar performance at the top impressed one and all. He has been quite impressive as an opener for KKR this season.

With 276 runs to his name in 6 games so far in the ongoing IPL 2024, Narine currently ranks third on the list for the Orange Cap, trailing only Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) Virat Kohli (361), and Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) Riyan Parag (318).

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Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan expressed his admiration for Narine for his remarkable transformation in the ongoing IPL 2024, saying KKR's decision to promote the all-rounder up the batting order has paid off handsomely. He said that Narine’s form will benefit KKR massively in the tournament.

Zaheer Khan said on Jio Cinema: “What a change it has been for KKR. We were just talking on commentary, that if it had not come off well, then, at what point KKR would have made that shift? But this is a luxury for them. This is like a double bonus, uh, which, which they will be very happy with.”

Sunil Narine credited Gautam Gambhir for his brilliant performance in the IPL

Earlier, Narine credited Gautam Gambhir for his impressive performance as the opener for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the ongou. The star all-rounder feels that he has regained the confidence to excel in the opening role with Gambhir's return to KKR as a mentor.

Expressing his gratitude, Narine admitted that he initially doubted his ability to perform as an opener, as he has not played in that position for several years. But Gambhir's presence and encouragement instilled belief in him, and now the results show.

Narine stressed the importance of providing the team with a solid start, regardless of the circumstances, and highlighted the significance of utilizing the powerplay overs effectively. He feels the strategy of taking wickets and restricting the opposition's early-world work for KKR this season.

Notably, even after suffering a two-wicket defeat against Rajasthan, Kolkata remains in the second spot on the IPL 2024 points table with 8 points from 6 games so far in the tournament. Kolkata will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 21 at Eden Gardens in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is presently in a very challenging situation, having lost six of their seven games in the tournament. If they lose one more game, then their hopes for knockouts will end.