Sunil Narine scored with bat and ball to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore yesterday, ending Virat Kohli’s hopes of an Indian Premier League (IPL) title as captain.
Bangalore crashed out of the Twenty20 tournament after losing the eliminator by four wickets in Sharjah with Kohli bowing out as leader of the franchise that has never won the IPL.
Kohli, who had announced at the start of the resumed IPL in the United Arab Emirates that he will step down as captain of the side this season, said he gave his “best”.
Narine took four wickets as Kolkata kept down Bangalore to 138-7 and then hit 26 off 15 balls in the team’s chase that was completed with two balls to spare.
Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan hit the winning run with skipper Eoin Morgan at the other end as Kolkata booked a meeting with Delhi Capitals in the second qualifier on Wednesday.
Narine stood out with his off spin as he struck in each of his four overs to send back Srikar Bharat (9), Kohli (39), AB de Villiers (11) and Glenn Maxwell (15).
Narine bowled Kohli with flight and spin as the star batsman walked off for one final time as captain of Bangalore since taking over the role in 2013.