“He Frees Rest of Guys to Play the Way They Like”: Phil Salt on Sunil Narine Ahead of GT-KKR Clash in IPL

IPL 2024: Ahead of their match against Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders opener Phil Salt praised all-rounder Sunil Narine, highlighting his ability to allow every player in the team to express themselves freely.

In a rain-affected game reduced to 16 overs per side, KKR’s spinners staged a remarkable comeback, thwarting Mumbai Indians’ chase of 158 runs, restricting them to 139/8 in 16 overs, securing KKR’s spot in the playoffs as the first team to do so in IPL 2024. This victory also saw the Knights equaling the record for most wins at a single venue, matching Mumbai Indians with 52 wins in the history of the league.

While Gujarat Titans’ chances of making it to the playoffs appear slim, Salt acknowledged the team’s determination to secure victory in their remaining matches to boost their points and possibly their net run rate for qualification.

In a pre-match interview, Salt emphasized his eagerness to perform well for KKR, drawing comparisons with former opener Chris Lynn. He highlighted the importance of adapting to different surfaces in India and credited Sunil Narine for his calming influence on the team’s approach.

Chris Lynn, known for his explosive batting, represented KKR from 2014 to 2019, accumulating 1,274 runs with an average of 34.43 and a strike rate of 141.40 in 40 matches, including 10 half-centuries.

The squads for Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans were also listed for reference.