"Hats Off To Gambhir": Internet Explodes As Narine Slams 39-Ball-85 vs DC

Sunil Narine produced a stunning display of batting to slam a half-century in just 21 deliveries for Kolkata Knight Riders during their IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. The all-rounder, who was once again sent to open the batting with Phil Salt, looked in sublime touch as he completely dismantled the DC bowling attack. Narine's best over came against Ishant Sharma where he ended up scoring 26 runs with a barrage of boundaries as KKR scored 88 runs in the powerplay. He ended up scoring 85 in just 39 deliveries with the help of 7 boundaries and 7 sixes. Social media could not stop praising him and they also hailed KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir for promoting Narine.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat.

Sunil Narine at it again@KKRiders are off to some start in Vizag!

Head to @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia to watch the match LIVE#TATAIPL | #DCvKKR pic.twitter.com/UipTFUHznQ — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 3, 2024

DC and KKR are locking horns against each other in the 16th encounter of the IPL 2024. The Kolkata-based franchise are currently second in the points table with four points from two matches. Capitals are placed seventh with just two points from three matches.

Hats off to Gautam Gambhir for making Sunil Narine a opener#DCvKKR #KKRvDC
pic.twitter.com/2S30FMrrKc — Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) April 3, 2024

Both teams are entering the game after winning their last games against their opponents. DC defeated five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 20 runs on March 31 and Knight Riders defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by seven wickets on March 29.

Making Sunil Narine the opener is one of the greatest decision in IPL history.

Hats off to Gautam Gambhir for this magical decision. pic.twitter.com/Ky9U25Kd0n — Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) April 3, 2024

"We'll bat first. The wicket looks like a belter, no drastic change in the wicket when compared to the last game. It's been quite a journey...Anything can happen on a given day, it's important to stick to the process. We've Sunil (Narine) coming in and going after the bowlers in the first 6 overs, so his role is very clear and the rest know what's expected of them. One change - Angrish Raghuvanshi comes in," Iyer said after winning the toss.

Sunil Narine under Gautam Gambhir pic.twitter.com/YzwTD0axlR — Nisha  (@NishaRo45_) April 3, 2024

DC skipper Rishabh Pant asserted that they would have batted as well as the wicket can get slower.

"We would have batted first as well, could get a bit slower. It was nice to be back with the group, but I'm not thinking too far ahead. The bowlers did a great job, the fast bowlers, and we'd like them to do it once again. Not thinking about the team combination for the first two games, but we've had people working hard in the nets. We just need to keep doing the right things - one change, Mukesh is injured and he's replaced by Sumit," Pant stated at the time of the toss.

(With ANI inputs)