IPL 2024: Rovman Powell backs Sunil Narine to come out of retirement ahead of T20 World Cup

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Sunil Narine wreaked havoc on Tuesday (April 16) evening as he scored his maiden India Premier League (IPL) hundred against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Eden Gardens. The Caribbean star, who is now in his 13th season with the franchise, scored 109 off 56 which helped KKR put 223 on the board. After Narine's blistering ton, his Caribbean teammate Rovman Powell suggested he reconsider retirement and return to the international fold ahead of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

Narine for T20 World Cup?

"For the last 12 months, I've been whispering in his (Narine's) ears, but he's blocked out everyone. I've asked (Kieron) Pollard, (Dwayne) Bravo, (Nicholas) Pooran. Hopefully, before they select the team, they can crack his code," Rovman Powell said after the game against Kolkata on Tuesday.

Despite scoring his maiden hundred, Narine could not lead his side to a win as RR won a thriller contest at the Eden Gardens. Playing as an impact sub against KKR, Jos Buttler scored his seventh hundred for RR in the IPL history which now sees his side remain unbeaten whenever he has scored a ton.

Buttler’s ton helped RR down KKR for their first defeat on home turf in IPL 2024. RR won by two wickets after the England white-ball captain played an eye-catching innings to steal the spotlight from KKR centurion Narine. Needing 224 runs to win, RR won the match on the final ball, helping them register the joint-best record chase in the history of the tournament.

Narine on the flip side is yet to comment on his international future, having had tussles with the national board. The legendary KKR spinner last represented West Indies in August 2019 and has only played franchise cricket after having afallout with the board.

Being a one-club man during his IPL career, Narine helped the side win their maiden title in 2012 and then again in 2014. He has been shown faith by the franchise and is one of the first names to be retained during the mega auctions.