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How Gautam Gambhir's Presence In KKR Camp Helped Sunil Narine To Flourish As An Opener

Anurag Dasgupta

Narine IPL stats with Gambhir [Source: @LoyalSachinFan/x.com] Narine IPL stats with Gambhir [Source: @LoyalSachinFan/x.com]

Sunil Narine, the KKR opener has been going through a rough patch in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. After a memorable campaign last season where he almost scored 500 runs, Narine's output as an opener has reduced this season and it is getting reflected in KKR's performances as well.

Narine's output as an opener is co-related with a certain individual's presence in the Kolkata Knight Riders dugout - Gautam Gambhir. The current head coach of the Indian team has always brought the best out of the West Indian as a batter and the stats say the entire story.

Sunil Narine as opener when Gambhir was present in KKR dugout

Criterion
2017
2024
Matches1615
Runs224488
Strike rate
172.30180.74
50s/100s1/03/1

(Narine's stats with Gambhir)

In 2017, Gautam Gambhir was the captain and this is when he promoted Narine as the opener and the decision paid off as he struck at 172.30 and formed a formidable partnership with Chris Lynn. Similarly, when Gambhir returned as KKR mentor in 2024, he once again promoted the all-rounder and the result was imminent.

488 runs, strike rate of 180 and a solitary century to showcase as his presence and run-scoring helped KKR win the title.

Narine as opener when Gambhir was not around

Criterion
Data
Matches88
Runs926
Strike-rate164.3
50s/100s3/0

When Gambhir was not around, Narine struggled a bit to adapt as an opener. He scored 926 runs in 88 games, and scored just 3 half-centuries. In the entire 2024 campaign, he had amassed 3 fifties, and from 2018-2023, when Gambhir was not around, the opener had 3 fifties, which showcased his downfall.

Why Narine flourished under Gambhir?

  • Gambhir is an instinctive coach and he always back his players. He also backed Narine and this gave the opener tons of confidence.
  • Gambhir was never afraid of failures and he gave the same message to his players. Even after failures, Narine was never dropped as Gambhir believed in Narine's ability and the batter did reward him back. This was also stated by the West Indian in an interview last year.