Sunil Narine leapfrogged to second position in the Orange Cap list at the IPL 2024, following another brilliant performance at the opening spot during the match against Punjab Kings on Friday. Narine smashed 71 off just 32 deliveries, providing the KKR with a blistering start to the innings after they were invited to bat in Kolkata. His fellow opening partner, Phil Salt, also smashed 72 in only 37 balls and jumped to second spot in the list. Virat Kohli of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru continues to stay at the top of the list.
Narine and Salt forged a 138-run partnership for the opening wicket; while the West Indian all-rounder smashed nine fours and four sixes in his explosive knock, Salt, too, was equally exceptional, clearing the boundaries on six occasions. Thanks to their blitzkrieg, KKR smashed a mammoth 261/6 in 20 overs. Quite incredibly, however, the total didn’t prove enough as Punjab Kings, riding on Jonny Bairstow’s explosive century and Shashank Singh’s unbeaten 68-run knock, completed the highest T20 run-chase, reaching the target with 10 balls to spare.
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No Punjab Kings batter is currently in the top 20; the PBKS have had a frustrating season so far, with their top order failing to fire consistently. On Friday, however, Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow smashed brilliant half-centuries, providing a glimpse of what the Kings openers can do when on song. Bairstow had made his return to the XI after being benched over the past few matches, as he replaced fellow countryman Liam Livingstone in the lineup.
Onto Saturday’s double-header
Significant changes are expected on Saturday when IPL 2024 will see two matches being played; while the Delhi Capitals host the Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Lucknow Super Giants will be aiming at avenging their loss earlier in the season when they take on the high-flying Rajasthan Royals.
DC captain Rishabh Pant is currently fourth in the Orange Cap list with 342 runs to his name in nine innings, while RR’s Riyan Parag (318) and Sanju Samson (314) are currently eighth and ninth, respectively.
Tags: Orange Cap IPL KKR PBKS Sunil Narine leapfrogs #2nd spot Phil Salt nears top5 Kohli firmly top Cricket
