Sunil Narine's Maiden T20 Century for KKR Goes in Vain as Rajasthan Royals Chase Down Record Target

In a thrilling IPL 2024 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Sunil Narine scored his maiden T20 century , smashing 109 runs off just 56 balls to power the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a formidable total of 223/6 against the Rajasthan Royals. Narine's knock, which included 13 fours and 6 sixes, made him only the third KKR batter to score a century in the IPL.

Despite Narine's heroics, the Rajasthan Royals, led by a sensational unbeaten 107 off 60 balls from Jos Buttler, chased down the target with two wickets to spare on the final ball of the match. Buttler's innings, which included 9 fours and 6 sixes, helped the Royals equal the record for the highest successful run chase in IPL history.

KKR's innings was bolstered by contributions from Angkrish Raghuvamshi (30 runs) and Rinku Singh (20* off 9 balls). For the Royals, Avesh Khan and Kuldeep Sen claimed two wickets each, while Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up one wicket apiece.

The match witnessed several key moments, including Narine's review leading to Dhruv Jurel's dismissal and Andre Russell's impressive catch to dismiss Riyan Parag. Buttler's century, his second of the IPL 2024 season, consolidated the Royals' position at the top of the points table, while KKR remains in second place despite the loss.

Why this matters: The match showcased the competitive nature of IPL 2024, with both teams displaying exceptional individual performances. Narine's historic century and Buttler's match-winning knock highlight the league's ability to produce thrilling encounters and record-breaking feats.

Narine's century went in vain as Buttler's heroics ensured a two-wicket victory for the Rajasthan Royals. "Buttler was just exceptional today. He took the game away from us in the end," said KKR captain Shreyas Iyer in the post-match presentation. Despite the loss, Narine's performance earned him the Player of the Match award, with the all-rounder stating, "I'm happy with my performance, but it's disappointing that we couldn't get the win."

Key Takeaways

• Sunil Narine scored maiden T20 century (109 off 56) for KKR vs Rajasthan Royals.
• Jos Buttler's unbeaten 107 off 60 balls led Rajasthan Royals to a 2-wicket win.
• Rajasthan Royals equaled the record for highest successful IPL run chase.
• Narine's century went in vain despite KKR posting a formidable 223/6.
• Match showcased IPL 2024's competitiveness with individual record-breaking performances.