Top 3 bowling performances of Sunil Narine in T20Is

Sunil Narine’s name comes up in every talk about the most influential T20 cricketers of history. While much of this may be attributed to his exploits in franchise cricket, it is possible to argue that his most effective and significant performances were in international cricket. 

Sunil Narine’s performances in several franchise leagues in the 2010s brought the mystery spin into the mainstream.  His performances helped the West Indies win their most significant game of the century and, more importantly, lay the groundwork for his enormous T20 success. Let’s take a look at the Top 3 bowling performances of Sunil Narine in T20Is.

3) 4/12 against New Zealand (Lauderhill, 2013) 

Sunil Narine’s finest T20 session ranks fourth among his best in international cricket, despite his reputation as a world-class bowler. Back in 2013, the West Indies scored 177/5 during the first innings versus New Zealand in Lauderhill. 

In reply, the Kiwis only managed to rack up 116 runs before being all out. Narine removed both openers, Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill, during the fifth over. He took two wickets of Dean Brownlie and Andrew Ellis, finishing with 4/12 from his four overs. The bowling all-rounder’s key spell meant that.

2) 3/20 against New Zealand (Pallekele, 2012)

During the 2012 World Cup, West Indies managed a mere 139 in their first innings which meant that the bowlers had to do much of the work. Sunil Narine was outstanding, suffocating New Zealand in much the exact way he accomplished in the Caribbean one-dayers. Together with their second spinner, Samuel Badree, the two spinners produced eight tight overs while giving only 38 runs.

 Narine’s wicket-taking skills were on full show as he claimed three wickets for 20 runs. After the early wickets, Narine was able to rip through the middle-order and that helped his side massively as the game ended in a tie. Later on, the West Indies were able to clinch the match in the super over.

1) 3/9 against Sri Lanka (Colombo, 2012)

Narine immediately set the tone in the 2012 T20 World Cup final with his first delivery, which pitched in front of Kumar Sangakkara before turning sharply and missing the outside edge. The wickets came quickly, as he removed Mahela Jayawardene off the first delivery of his second over, enticing the Sri Lanka veteran into attempting a daring switch shot and catching him at point.

Two deliveries afterwards, Sri Lanka surrendered their fifth wicket as Jeevan Mendis got out, with Narine remaining calm and contributing after Dwayne Bravo shot in the throw. The over altered the tone of the match, as Sri Lanka slipped to 64-5 in a chase with an opportunity for DLS to spring into action. The all-rounder also took a wicket in his final over to end his spell with 3/9 in 3.4 overs.