KKR vs RCB: Sunil Narine Survives Bizarre Hit-Wicket Scare, Leaves Bengaluru Players Bamboozled In IPL 2025 Opener

Drama ensued in the first game of the IPL 2025 season itself after Sunil Narine, Kolkata Knight Riders ' opening batter, survived a close call of a hit wicket after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a minor appeal for it. Narine came out to open for KKR alongside Quinton de Kock at the iconic Eden Gardens, which marked the beginning of a glittering season of franchise cricket in India.

Sunil Narine Survives Close Hit Wicket Call Despite RCB's Appeal 

The moment happened during the fourth ball of the seventh over when Rasikh Salam delivered a short of a length ball which fell outside of the line. The delivery was way above Narine's head, and the umpire had called for a wide. However, at that time, the Windies all-rounder's bat hit the stump, and a bail fell off. There was a minor appeal for a hit wicket from RCB's side.

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One of the reasons for Narine not being dismissed via hit wicket was that the umpire had already declared that the ball was dead and that Narine's hit to the stumps was unintentional. Another possible reason could be that their appeal was null and void as the delivery was well into wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma's gloves.

Sunil Narine & Ajinkya Rahane Deliver The Push KKR Needed

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine pulled off a spectacular rescue work for the Kolkata Knight Riders after the early dismissal of opener Quinton de Kock. Rahane delivered that captain's knock against RCB's bowling attack, and the KKR duo demolished the opposition with a 100-run stand. Narine and Rahane smacked boundaries and maximums to help the hosts gain momentum.

Ajinkya scored 56 off 31 balls before being dismissed by Krunal Pandya. On the other hand, Sunil Narine missed out on his half-century but did the job well for his side after scoring 44 off 26, where he scored five fours and three sixes. He also managed to secure a huge milestone and completed 100 sixes in the IPL. 

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