Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has been an exciting one. There have been low-scoring games as well as high-scoring thrillers, from spectacular centuries to super overs in the 19th edition that have seen some of the best moments in the tournament so far. Virat Kohli has been in great form this season and is trying to win the Orange Cap this season.
Having earned the title of ‘King’ for his heroics in the game of cricket during IPL 2026, now another player is fighting for the same nickname. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) veteran spinner Sunil Narine was named the new king of the tournament by their CEO Venky Mysore. The experienced spinner has been excellent for the Knights over the years.
Sunil Narine ‘GOAT’ for KKR?
After scoring 200 IPL wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sunil Narine became the first overseas star in the rich cash league to reach the feat, and also the first player to do so for a single franchise. KKR CEO described Sunil Narine as the new king of IPL. Narine achieved this feat after taking the wicket of Salil Arora in the match.
With Narine’s excellent spell of 2/31 in four overs, KKR won their third consecutive tournament against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 7 wickets. During the post-match presentation, Mysore praised Narine as the new king and gave him a special gift.
I have never seen anything like this before – Venky Mysore
Venky Mysore said during the post-match presentation, “It’s the first time I’m watching; I’ve just double-checked with King. It’s the first time I’m watching him open the bowling, and of course, his bowling powerplay as well. We’ve seen him do all kinds of things.”
“But today, when he had the ball in his hand, I said, this is a first for me. I have never seen that before, but two in a row, and he set the tone beautifully there. But the whole bowling unit was amazing, so I thought today, with 200 wickets, we have to give a game changer to King,” Mysore said in the dressing room.
Sunil Narine and Virat Kohli two great players of IPL
Sunil Narine and Virat Kohli are two legends of the game and are the only two cricketers to have played for the same franchise since their arrival in the IPL. Both the experienced promoters have been excellent for their respective franchises. Kohli, who is the leading run-scorer in the tournament (9,040*) and is the defending champion with RCB.
Narine, on the other hand, made his IPL debut for KKR in 2012 and has been taking wickets regularly for the franchise, and has been a match-winner for them since the beginning. He is the only cricketer to win the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the IPL three times. The West Indies all-rounder won in 2012, 2018 and 2024.
Narine has 201 wickets in his name in 126 innings. He is the third highest wicket taker in IPL history. He has also won the IPL thrice with the Knights in 2012, 2014 and 2024. The 37-year-old all-rounder will look to continue his wicket-taking and match-winning performances for KKR.
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