"PROPER ENTERTAINER" - Fans react to Sunil Narine's 71 off 32 balls in KKR vs PBKS IPL 2024 clash

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Sunil Narine once again starred with the bat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, this time against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens on Friday (April 26).

The left-hander smashed 71 runs off 32 balls at a strike rate of 221.88, including four sixes and nine boundaries. He shared a 138-run stand with Phil Salt for the opening wicket before holing to Jonny Bairstow at long-on off Rahul Chahar.

With his second half-century this season, on top of a hundred, Narine has become the second-leading run-scorer in IPL 2024. The southpaw has amassed 357 runs in eight matches so far. He is only behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)'s Virat Kohli, who has scored 430 runs in nine matches.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter) lauded Narine for his heroics against PBKS. One user wrote:

"I CANNOT IMAGINE IPL WITHOUT SUNIL NARINE !!! PROPER ENTERTAINER !!"

Another user wrote:

"What is this ridiculous batting by Sunil Narine. Bro tell us what the hell are you eating this season. Scoring runs or joking ffs."

One user pointed out that Narine has been exceptionally good against trophyless teams in the tournament, writing:

"Sunil Narine against Trophyless teams is a different beast."

Here are a few more reactions:

A user shared a meme to express Narine's masterclass with the bat for KKR this season. Take a look:

One user pointed out Narine's rise in the Orange Cap points table and wrote:

"Only Virat Kohli now has more runs than Sunil Narine this season. 357 is also his best-ever run tally in an edition of the IPL."

A user called Narine as an MVP for KKR and wrote:

"The MVP of Kolkata, taking his game into the next level in IPL 2024."

Apart from batting, Narine has also scalped nine wickets at an economy rate of 7.11 in seven innings so far. The all-rounder will look to continue his exploits as the Knight Riders eye their third IPL trophy.

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Sunil Narine and Philip Salt provide sublime start for KKR against PBKS in IPL 2024 encounter

Sunil Narine and Philip Salt provided a sublime start for KKR by making the best use of dropped catches against PBKS in IPL on Friday. Salt smashed 75 off 37 deliveries in an innings laced with six maximums and as many boundaries.

At the time of writing, the hosts were 199/2 after 15.1 overs, with Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell at the crease. Salt was the last batter to be dismissed, cleaned up by Punjab skipper Sam Curran.

The Knight Riders have registered five wins in seven matches so far and are second in the table. Meanwhile, Punjab are lying ninth in the points table with just two wins in eight games so far.

Follow the KKR vs PBKS IPL 2024 match live score and updates here.