Sunil Narine Breaks IPL History with Most Wickets Against Punjab Kings
NEW DELHI: In a dazzling display of spin wizardry, Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) talisman Sunil Narine has carved his name into the annals of Indian Premier League (IPL) history. On Tuesday, during a commanding performance against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, Narine became the bowler with the most wickets against a single franchise in IPL history.
The wily spinner achieved this monumental feat by dismissing Suryansh Shedge and Marco Jansen in the same over, taking his tally against PBKS to an astonishing 36 wickets. This surpassed the previous record held by pacer Umesh Yadav, who had claimed 35 wickets against the same team. Narine’s final figures of 2 for 14 in 3 overs underscored his dominance, as he played a pivotal role in bowling out PBKS for a mere 111 in 15.3 overs—the third-lowest team total in the IPL 2025 season so far.
Narine now sits atop an elite list of bowlers with the most wickets against a single IPL franchise. Following him are Umesh Yadav (35 vs PBKS), Dwayne Bravo (33 vs Mumbai Indians), and Mohit Sharma (33 vs Mumbai Indians). Other notable names include Yuzvendra Chahal (32 vs PBKS) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (32 vs KKR).
KKR’s bowling unit was ruthless in their dismantling of PBKS. Alongside Narine, young pacer Harshit Rana led the charge with an impressive 3/25, while spinner Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with 2/21. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer’s decision to bat first proved disastrous, as the batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with only a handful of players reaching double-digit scores.
This collapse marks one of the lowest points for PBKS in IPL history. Their total of 111 is the fourth-lowest all-out score for the franchise, trailing behind their infamous 73 vs Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, and twin scores of 88 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2015 and 2018.
Narine, who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, has been a cornerstone of KKR’s success since joining the franchise in 2012. Known for his mystery spin and ability to outfox batsmen with subtle variations, the 36-year-old has now taken over 170 wickets in the IPL, cementing his status as one of the league’s all-time greats. His record against PBKS is a testament to his consistency and adaptability, often turning matches in KKR’s favor with his guile.
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, Narine’s historic achievement adds another feather to his illustrious cap. With KKR looking in fine form, fans will be eager to see if the spin maestro can continue to weave his magic and lead his team to yet another title triumph.