IPL 2025: KKR Opener Quinton de Kock Calls Sunil Narine ‘X Factor’ After Crushing CSK At Chepauk

April 12, 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders’ explosive opening partnership received high praise as Quinton de Kock lauded teammate Sunil Narine’s match-winning performance with both bat and ball following their emphatic 8-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2025.

In a near-perfect outing at Chepauk Stadium, the defending champions dismantled the home side, bundling CSK out for just 104—their lowest total on home soil—before hunting down the target in just 10.1 overs.

At the heart of the victory was Narine, who first wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming 3/13, and then blasted 44 off 18 balls during the chase. His power-hitting in the powerplay left Chennai stunned and set the tone for a comprehensive win.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, de Kock praised Narine’s incredible form and highlighted the challenge opposition batters face against KKR’s spin duo. “The big value Sunil and Varun [Chakravarthy] bring is their variety,” said de Kock. “Being mystery spinners, it’s tough to line up shots against them. You never know what’s coming.”

When asked about Narine’s fearless batting, de Kock described the Trinidadian as an “X-factor” who provides instant momentum. “Sunny comes hard from ball one. Every bowler knows that,” he smiled. “When he’s firing, the team gets a great start.”

Reflecting on their opening partnership, de Kock added, “It’s a pretty simple plan—just get him on strike early. I try to offer feedback on the pitch or bowlers while letting him play his game.”

De Kock also credited Narine’s discipline and commitment behind the scenes. “He’s missed no practice sessions, not even the optional ones. He works on his game constantly. So when it all clicks like tonight, it’s a big win for the team.”

With this dominant performance, Kolkata Knight Riders continue to showcase their all-round strength, with Narine at the core of their success in IPL 2025.