IPL 2026: Narine's 1/13 masterclass at Eden steers KKR past MI
Synopsis
Sunil Narine turned back the clock at Eden Gardens, producing a 1/13 spell on a 2013-14-style turning track to throttle Mumbai Indians and keep KKR's playoff hopes alive. With 201 IPL wickets and counting, the veteran spinner remains the most dangerous bowler in the competition when conditions align — and on Wednesday, they did perfectly.
Key Takeaways
Sunil Narine claimed 1/13 in four overs as KKR beat Mumbai Indians by four wickets in IPL 2026 .
Mumbai Indians were restricted to 147/8 ; KKR chased it down in 18.5 overs .
Manish Pandey (45) and Rovman Powell (40) anchored the chase for KKR.
Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta called Narine's variations 'a treat', highlighting his clean-bowling of Hardik Pandya as a 'vintage' delivery.
Narine has taken 201 wickets in 197 IPL matches — the first overseas bowler and third overall past the 200-wicket mark .
The Eden Gardens surface was compared to the spin-friendly tracks of 2013-14 , aided by pre-match rain.
Sunil Narine delivered a vintage spin masterclass at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, claiming 1/13 in four miserly overs to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) restrict Mumbai Indians (MI) to 147/8 and seal a four-wicket victory in IPL 2026. The win keeps KKR firmly in the playoff race.
Narine Exploits a Rare Turning Track
The Eden Gardens surface on Wednesday bore little resemblance to the flat decks that have defined the venue in recent IPL seasons. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta noted that the pitch — softened by pre-match rain and the use of covers — produced sharp turn reminiscent of the 2013-14 era.
'This Eden Gardens surface reminded us not of the 2020s but of 2013-14, where the ball used to turn quite a bit. The bit of rain and the covers also played their part,' Dasgupta said in his post-match analysis on Jio Hotstar.
Dasgupta: 'A Vintage Narine Delivery'
Dasgupta was effusive in his praise for the veteran spinner, pointing specifically to the delivery that clean-bowled Hardik Pandya as the highlight of the spell. 'The extent of turn that Sunil Narine was getting from this Eden Gardens surface was quite sharp. It was good to see him making full use of the favourable conditions. Narine has been playing at this venue since 2012 and knows it very well. Watching him trouble batters with his variations is a treat. The way he brought the ball back into the stumps of Hardik Pandya and clean bowled him was a vintage Sunil Narine delivery,' Dasgupta said.
He further underlined how Narine's economy strangled Mumbai Indians' middle-overs momentum. 'Returning with an economical spell of 1 for 13 meant that MI could never get going in the middle overs whenever Sunil Narine bowled,' he added.
A Historic Bowler in Full Flow
Narine's performance comes against the backdrop of a remarkable IPL career. The KKR stalwart has taken 201 wickets in 197 matches, making him the first overseas bowler and only the third player overall to cross the 200-wicket milestone in IPL history. He has represented only KKR since his debut in 2012 — a loyalty to one franchise that is virtually unmatched in the tournament.
KKR Chase Down the Target
With MI restricted to 147/8, KKR completed the chase in 18.5 overs, powered by Manish Pandey's 45 and Rovman Powell's 40. The victory keeps KKR in playoff contention as the league stage enters its final stretch. With their bowling attack firing at a spin-friendly Eden Gardens, KKR will be a difficult side to dislodge in the business end of the tournament.
Point of View
When wet and responsive, remains one of the few venues in the IPL where a spinner can genuinely win a match on his own. Narine has now crossed 200 IPL wickets with a single franchise — a feat that speaks to both his longevity and KKR's rare loyalty to a match-winner. The more pointed question is whether other teams have adequately planned for spin-friendly conditions at this ground, or whether they continue to build XI's for the flat-deck default. Mumbai Indians' collapse in the middle overs suggests the answer is the latter.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sunil Narine's bowling figure against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026?
Sunil Narine returned figures of 1/13 in four overs against Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens. His economical spell was central to restricting MI to 147/8 and setting up KKR's four-wicket win.
How did KKR chase down the target against Mumbai Indians?
KKR chased 148 in 18.5 overs, with Manish Pandey scoring 45 and Rovman Powell contributing 40. The win keeps KKR alive in the IPL 2026 playoff race.
What milestone has Sunil Narine achieved in IPL history?
Narine has taken 201 wickets in 197 IPL matches, making him the first overseas bowler and only the third player overall to cross the 200-wicket mark in the tournament. He has played exclusively for KKR since 2012.
Why was the Eden Gardens pitch so favourable for spin on Wednesday?
According to Deep Dasgupta, the surface was softened by pre-match rain and the use of covers, producing sharp turn reminiscent of the spin-friendly Eden Gardens tracks seen during the 2013-14 IPL seasons.
What did Deep Dasgupta say about Narine's performance?
Dasgupta said 'watching him trouble batters with his variations is a treat' and described Narine's delivery that clean-bowled Hardik Pandya as 'a vintage Sunil Narine delivery'. He also noted that Narine's economy ensured MI 'could never get going in the middle overs'.
