Xtra Time Web Desk: Sunil Narine becomes fourth player to make 500 T20 appearances. And man of the match award against Royal Challengers Bangalore for his all round performance. Kolkata Knight Riders spinner gave 40 runs in 4 overs. But got Glenn Maxwell wicket in a crucial time of the match.
After got man of the match award Narine said, “500th T20 match It is a nice milestone. Hopefully there are 500 more to come. Great to perform like this.”
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Targeting a score of 183 runs for victory, Bangalore began their innings with aggressive intent, as their two openers, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, took the field. Narine, the Caribbean all-rounder, marked his 500th T20 match memorable for Kolkata. He ensured a formidable contribution by striking two fours and five sixes, scoring 47 runs off 22 balls before departing assuredly, leaving his team in a strong position.
Then Narine added, “Relief also to get it after a while. (Batting success today). Just self belief and support staff giving encouragement. Also the hard work. Powerplay over is the hardest over – just have to let that go and keep it tight. Helps when you win. Players have full freedom to do what they want to do.”
Before Narine, his former teammates Kieron Pollard and Dwayne John Bravo hold the first and second positions for most appearances in T20 format, respectively. Pollard is at the summit with 660 T20 appearances, while Bravo is in the second spot with 573 appearances under his belt. Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik is in the third spot with 542 T20 appearances to his name.
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In his 500th T20 appearance, Narine picked Glenn Maxwell’s wicket and conceded 40 runs in his four-over spell. Overall, Narine has 3736 runs and 537 wickets in 500 T20 appearances at an average of 21.47. Narine’s best bowling figure in T20 format is 5/19.
Pollard in 660 matches has struck 12,900 runs at an average of 31.46 and claimed 316 wickets. Bravo has struck 6,957 runs and claimed 625 wickets. While, Shoaib has 13,360 runs in his kitty and 182 scalps as well. Coming to the clash between RCB and KKR, Shreyas Iyer won the toss and put the hosts to bat. Virat Kohli, with belligerence struck 83* off just 59 deliveries, which was laced with four boundaries and four maximums.