KKR bowlers with 20-plus wickets in an IPL season
Varun Chakravarthy was sensational against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. The right-arm spinner managed figures worth 2/26 from his four overs. His exploits helped Kolkata Knight Riders reach the IPL 2024 final. Chakravarthy is a pivotal asset for KKR as he touched the 20-wicket mark this season, joining Sunil Narine in an exclusive club.
Why does this story matter?
Since the IPL's inception in 2008, only two KKR bowlers have breached the 20-wicket mark in a campaign. Narine and Chakrvarthy are the two bowlers with this feat. Notably, ace spinner Narine has claimed 20-plus scalps on three occasions. Chakravarthy is now the second KKR bowler to do so twice. Here we decode their campaigns with 20-plus wickets for KKR.
Narine: 24 scalps in 2012 and 22 scalps in 2013
Narine claimed 24 wickets for KKR in their title-winning campaign in 2012. He played 15 matches and averaged 13.50. His economy rate was 5.47. Narine took a four-fer and a five-wicket haul in IPL 2012. The following season saw Narine take 22 wickets from 16 matches. He averaged 15.90 and his exonomy rate was 5.46. Narine claimed two four-fers that season.
21 scalps for Narine in IPL 2024 season
For the third successive season, Narine finished with 20-plus scalps. He was instrumental for KKR in their title-winning campaign in 2014. Narine picked up 21 scalps from 16 matches at 19.38 (ER: 6.35). He managed two four-wicket hauls.
20-plus wickets for Chakravarthy in successive campaigns
Chakravarthy became the second KKR bowler to take 20-plus wickets in a season last year. He claimed 20 scalps from 14 matches at 19.65. His economy rate was 8.18. Chakravarthy's best performance was 3/16. In IPL 2024, Chakravarthy touched 20 wickets once again. His average is 21-plus and the economy rate reads 8-plus. His next best performance is 18 wickets in IPL 2021.