Sunil Narine awarded with Most Valuable Player in IPL 2018

Sunil Narine earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 2018 Indian Premier League. West Indies off-spinner had an incredible tournament with bat and ball while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Narine, who was a makeshift opener for Kolkata, scored 357 runs in 16 innings at a strike rate of 189.89 with two half-centuries to his name. The left-handed batsman got the side off to rampant starts throughout the competition and was given the role to go after bowlers inside the Powerplay overs. He also contributed handsomely with the ball in hand by picking 17 wickets at an average of 27.47. He was the most economical bowler for Kolkata in this year’s competition. Narine amassed 379.5 points to claim the top spot while Chennai’s Shane Watson was second with 318 points.

Sunil Narine said that he felt delighted to be given such an award. He said he would be keen to do produce better performances for Kolkata with bat and ball. Kolkata Knight Riders faltered at the final hurdle as they were beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 game played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

This is the second time Narine has been named Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the competition. In 2012 Indian Premier League, he was in scintillating form with the ball and picked up 24 wickets in just 15 games to help Kolkata win their maiden IPL title.

Sunil Narine has worked hard on his batting and results have been evident from the last couple of years. He has done well also in other competitions such as Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League.

He has been instrumental in Kolkata winning two IPL trophies in the last couple of years.  Since making his debut in 2012, he has picked up 112 wickets from 98 games at an average of 22.30. He has picked up six four-wicket hauls in the history of the competition.