Ninety-four minutes of Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine spent 94 minutes at the crease on Tuesday. It was a rare occasion for him to face 56 balls in a T20 game, reflecting the chaos that ensued whenever he was at the batting end. Despite T20 cricket encouraging aggressive shot-making over defensive play, Narine stands out as a batsman who consistently prioritizes big hits, especially in the IPL.
He is known as the quintessential pinch-hitter and sets the gold standard in this role. There is no elaborate set-up to his innings – he simply comes in and starts swinging the bat. His batting style varies from swipes to hacks, pulls, and slogs, with occasional cuts and power-drives sprinkled in. It epitomizes the modern T20 approach of attacking every ball.
Despite his limited batting technique, Narine still manages to captivate with his explosive strokeplay. It’s a hit-or-get-out approach with no middle ground. While it may seem straightforward, no other player or team has quite replicated his formula of pinch-hitting, despite his consistent success in that role.
His unique technique involves opening up his stance and unleashing powerful swings against pacers, while using his long levers to tackle spinners. His ability to hit the ball across the ‘V’ range and find unpredictable spots on the field adds to his effectiveness as a batsman. He can be equally productive by edging the ball as he can by hitting straight down the ground, creating headaches for opposition bowlers and captains.
In a recent match at Eden Gardens, Narine faced some initial struggle against the pace bowlers but gradually found his rhythm. He particularly dominated the offspinner R Ashwin, who failed to contain Narine’s aggressive batting display. Despite a few missed opportunities, Narine outplayed Ashwin yet again, showcasing his prowess as a batsman.
For several seasons, Narine’s power-hitting tactics served him and his team, Kolkata Knight Riders, well. However, opposition teams eventually found a way to counter his strategy by targeting his upper torso with high-paced deliveries. This made Narine’s role as an opener less effective, prompting KKR to explore other options with limited success.
Narine faced a similar challenge in the recent game against Rajasthan Royals, where the opposition adopted a strategic approach against him. Despite a shaky start against pacers, Narine managed to take advantage of the spinners, frustrating their efforts to contain him. By the time he reached his century off 49 balls, he had already propelled KKR’s innings and secured a spot among the top run-scorers in the IPL.
While his batting prowess has garnered attention, Narine’s bowling performance in the season has been relatively modest with seven wickets in six games. Surprisingly, he finds himself in the race for the Orange Cap, reflecting his unexpected shift towards a dominant batting role.
Narine acknowledged the support and confidence given to him by Gautam Gambhir to open the innings, emphasizing the importance of providing a strong start to the team. Despite other standout performances in the match, Narine’s century in a losing cause highlighted his potential to disrupt opposition teams with his aggressive batting style.
Teams would be wise not to underestimate Narine’s impact with the bat, as he continues to pose a threat to bowlers across the league. His ability to adapt and excel in different roles showcases his cricketing acumen and makes him a force to be reckoned with on the field.
