"Hope they can crack his code" - Powell on Narine's T20 World Cup chances

Sunil Narine has been in splendid all-round form in IPL 2024. Back as an opener for Kolkata Knight Riders, he is currently the third-highest run scorer in the season, scoring 276 runs at an average of 46 and the strike rate sailing high at 187.8. Among the bowlers, he has conceded the joint-least number of boundaries in the season (13) among the 24 bowlers who have bowled more than 20 overs. Clearly, Narine is KKR’s MVP this season.

Given IPL 2024 ends only one week before the T20 World Cup, this tournament becomes significant for many cricket board to pick their side for the silverware event. Not just India, but for Australia, England, South Africa as well the ongoing IPL season becomes crucial to keep an eye on some players. From West Indies’ perspective, the focus has shifted back to Narine checking all the boxes. 

But Narine isn’t an international cricketer at present. The 35-year old announced his retirement from international cricket in November 2023. He last represented West Indies in a T20I against India in 2019. After KKR’s win over Lucknow on April 14, Narine said he would be watching the World Cup from home. 

However, after Rajasthan Royals’ win over KKR on Tuesday, the West Indies’ T20 skipper, Rovman Powell hinted at his attempts to bring Narine back to the West Indies’ setup. Powell is playing for RR in IPL 2024 and contributed 26 off 13 balls to his team’s two-wicket victory. 

"For the last 12 months, I've been whispering in his (Narine's) ears, but he's blocked out everyone," Powell said when asked about Narine’s availability for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. "I've asked (Kieron) Pollard, (Dwayne) Bravo, (Nicholas) Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code."

Narine and Powell had an interesting face-off in the fixture. Narine had belted a hundred opening the innings and his bowling figures stood at 2/14 in three overs. Narine bowled the 17th over, when RR needed 62 off 24 balls. Powell smashed the first three balls for 16 runs before the Trinidadian came back with his wicket on the penultimate ball of the over. 

Buttler, thereon, clinched a last-ball thriller in RR’s favor, also scoring a match-winning hundred in the process. Powell’s cameo began the team’s sprint towards the target. 

"There are emotions all over the place,” Powell spoke after the win. “I didn't plan to take on Sunil Narine because I knew he was their best bowler. But when it comes down to 80 runs off 30 balls, you have to take your chances. I just backed my strengths, took my chances and that came off today," he elaborated about his knock.

RR will face Mumbai Indians next on April 22 at Jaipur.