New Delhi, April 30 (NationPress) In today’s fast-paced environment, numerous videos and blogs present tips from social media influencers on how to achieve a ‘can do it all’ lifestyle. In cricket, this role is aptly filled by dynamic all-rounders.

However, on Tuesday evening at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Sunil Narine delivered an all-round performance that truly redefined the ‘can do it all’ mantra. His explosive 27 runs were pivotal in KKR's blazing batting powerplay, followed by Narine’s impressive bowling figures of 3-29, including three wickets in his last two overs.

To top it off, he executed a vital run-out of KL Rahul and even took over captaincy for KKR when skipper Ajinkya Rahane (due to a hand injury) and vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer (subbed out) were absent from the field. Narine made a lasting impact on every front, ensuring the defending champions remained in contention for the playoffs.

“They (DC) were batting aggressively and started scoring from the get-go, making it feel like the game was slipping away from us. But Narine's outstanding bowling, taking two or three wickets consecutively, allowed us to regain momentum,” stated KKR left-arm spinner Anukul Roy, referencing Narine’s game-changing performance during the post-match press conference.

Just days earlier, DC had faced a stellar all-round performance from Krunal Pandya of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). If they anticipated any relief on Tuesday, Narine’s remarkable all-round display ensured that DC suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Unlike last year when Narine amassed 488 runs during KKR’s trophy run, he had not been able to replicate those explosive starts this season. However, with an excellent batting pitch on Tuesday and DC's inconsistent bowling during the power-play, Narine returned to form, delivering fireworks right from the start.

On his first ball from Dushmantha Chameera, Narine cleared his front leg and smashed a six over the bowler’s head. Chameera’s full deliveries allowed Narine to time his bat perfectly, flicking one over a leaping Kuldeep Yadav at mid-wicket for four runs, and then executing a one-handed slog to send another slower ball soaring over the mid-wicket fence for yet another six.

After elegantly pulling a harmless short ball from Mukesh Kumar, one couldn't help but wonder if Narine's fireworks would ever cease. Despite Kuldeep Yadav having a better matchup record against him, it was Vipraj Nigam’s quick and straight delivery that caught Narine lbw.

By then, Narine had helped KKR achieve their best opening stand of the season, contributing 48 runs with Rahmanullah Gurbaz while also leading the side to its fastest fifty in the tournament in just 3.4 overs. The fear factor that Narine, a high-risk and adventurous batter, brings often means that DC's power-play duties were primarily handled by pacers, with someone like Axar Patel only coming into bowl after Narine fell.

During the chase, DC maintained a good run rate despite losing two top-order batsmen early on in the power play, still trailing behind KKR's scores in that phase. However, Narine's presence began to dominate the game.

With communication faltering between Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul regarding a cheeky single, Narine delivered a direct hit from short fine leg, catching Rahul just short of his ground at the striker's end for seven runs. Although Narine struggled for control with the ball, DC skipper Axar hit three sixes against him, keeping the chase alive.

As the equation shifted to needing 69 runs off 41 balls, KKR urgently required something from Narine, their star bowler, to turn the match around. This desperation was met as Narine switched to a round-the-wicket angle, leading to Axar's dismissal as he lobbed the ball to cover.

From that moment on, Narine was unstoppable, casting Tristan Stubbs with a typical off-break, before dismissing Faf du Plessis, who attempted to heave over deep mid-wicket but ended up caught.

Narine’s night didn’t end there; he later caught Ashutosh Sharma at backward point after the batsman attempted a reverse-hit off Varun Chakaravarthy. He also bowled the final over, where a rampaging Vipraj Nigam was bowled out, helping KKR secure those critical two points.

"He’s been a champion bowler for this franchise. It’s fantastic to have him and Varun in the team. I can always rely on them whenever we’re in a tight spot. He (Narine) has been working diligently, arriving early for practice sessions and bowling for hours in the nets," KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, with a bandaged hand, remarked after the game.

DC's struggle in run-chases for the second time at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, following Narine’s spell, also highlighted their dismal performance against spinners. Before this match, DC had lost 23 wickets to spinners, and the outcome of their contest against Narine, Chakaravarthy, and Anukul Roy was vital to the game’s result.

Ultimately, KKR’s spinners, spearheaded by Narine’s explosive 3-29, secured six wickets. Their masterful spin bowling towards the end entrapped DC in a web of deception from which they never escaped. In the future, this match will be remembered primarily for Narine’s comprehensive performance that led the men in purple and gold to victory in New Delhi, exemplifying the trendy ‘can do it all’ approach that has been pivotal in KKR's majority wins since 2012.