Sunil Narine Masterclass as Knight Riders Defeats Patriots in CPL 2026

Sunil Narine produced another decisive CPL performance as Trinbago Knight Riders opened their campaign with a 19-run DLS victory over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Kingstown. Narine returned remarkable figures of 4-1-7-3 as the Patriots were restricted to 109 for 9 before rain ended the Knight Riders' chase at 94 for 2 after 15 overs.

The result also gave Trinbago an early boost to their net run rate, while Narine collected his 10th Player-of-the-Match award in the Caribbean Premier League.

The veteran spinner needed little time to influence the contest. After TKR chose to field, Narine struck in his opening over, removing Andre Fletcher and Kyle Mayers from successive deliveries. Fletcher edged one behind to slip before Mayers was trapped lbw after Narine changed his angle around the wicket.

Alick Athanaze became Narine's third victim in his next over, cutting a delivery to slip. The dismissal was initially not given, but TKR successfully reviewed the decision. Narine then completed a maiden to finish the powerplay with the Patriots struggling at 24 for 3.

The damage continued after the powerplay. Johnson Charles was caught behind off Jyd Goolie, while Terrance Hinds removed Jason Holder and Navin Bidaisee with consecutive deliveries to reduce the Patriots to 47 for 6.

Kevin Wickham briefly revived the innings with a 38-run contribution, but the Patriots lost further wickets when TKR debutant Dominic Drakes dismissed Wickham and Saurabh Netrawalkar in the 17th over. Late boundaries from Obed McCoy and Ashmead Nedd lifted the total beyond 100.

TKR's chase was not entirely straightforward either. Alex Hales and Colin Munro departed inside the first 10 balls, leaving Joshua Da Silva and debutant Matthew Breetzke to rebuild. Their partnership took TKR to 88 for 2 before Da Silva retired hurt on 18.

Breetzke remained unbeaten on 35 when rain returned two overs later, with TKR on 94 for 2. They were already ahead of the revised DLS requirement, securing two points without needing to complete the chase.

Narine's latest Player-of-the-Match award takes him to 10 in the CPL. Only Kieron Pollard, with 15, has won the award more often, while Pollard and TKR captain Nicholas Pooran are currently away with MI London in the Hundred.