From Narine's power-hitting to Buttler's clutch brilliance- a story of two heroes and one unforgettable finish
The night of April 16 at Eden Gardens was nothing short of a blockbuster. Two breathtaking centuries were crafted, one from an unexpected source and the other from a seasoned match-winner. Sunil Narine, known for his wizardry with the ball, stunned everyone with a sensational hundred. But Jos Buttler had the last laugh, steering Rajasthan Royals (RR) to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The match was a rollercoaster, with twists and turns that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the last ball.
Sunil Narine, renowned for his bowling, stunned everyone with his bat. Walking in after a steady start from Phil Salt and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Narine unleashed mayhem in the middle overs. His ability to pierce the off-side field with precision saw him rack up 13 fours, a testament to his fearless stroke play. This unexpected display of batting prowess left everyone in awe.
As the innings progressed, Narine shifted gears. He blazed from 79 to his maiden IPL century in just one over, pummeling Chahal for two fours and two sixes. His 109 off 56 balls powered KKR to a massive 223 for 6. Yet, despite his heroics, he found himself on the losing side.
Chasing 224, Rajasthan Royals needed a flying start. However, Buttler, returning from injury, took time to find his rhythm. His first 18 balls yielded only 25 runs, and the Royals hit a rough patch in the middle overs. Three wickets tumbled quickly, and only 30 runs were added in six overs. At one point, the required rate seemed out of reach.
But Buttler remained firm. Even as wickets fell, he refused to panic. Turning down singles, carefully selecting his shots, and waiting for the right moment to explode, he kept RR in the hunt. It was a calculated approach that paid off in the game's dying moments.
The 17th over proved pivotal. With 62 runs needed from 24 balls, Rajasthan's Rovman Powell decided to counterattack. He took Narine apart, smashing two sixes and a four in the first three balls. Just when it seemed like RR had the upper hand, Narine struck back, trapping Powell lbw. The battle swung both ways, setting up a nail-biting finish that had everyone holding their breath.
With Powell gone and little support at the other end, Buttler took it upon himself to script a miracle. He launched Mitchell Starc's first ball for a monstrous six and followed it up with a well-placed boundary. Starc, under pressure, gifted RR five wides, reducing the equation further.
Then came Buttler's defining moment. He clobbered three sixes and a four in a span of seven balls, single-handedly pulling RR back into the game. He waited for the right delivery with just three runs required off five balls. A flick off the final ball pierced the infield, sealing a two-wicket win for RR. His unbeaten 107 was nothing short of a masterclass in chasing under pressure.
Despite Buttler's brilliance, Narine was arguably the match's most valuable player. Apart from his breathtaking century, he bowled a tight spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 30. His efforts to stifle RR's run chase were undone by Powell's assault and Buttler's persistence. It was an all-round performance worthy of a win, yet fate had other plans.
For the fans, though, this was a match to remember. Two centuries, a last-ball finish, and a game full of drama—this was IPL cricket at its finest. The Narine-Buttler showdown had everything and will be talked about for a long time.
