<p>KKR opener and star all-rounder <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/sunil-narine">Sunil Narine</a> contributed 44 off 26 balls in a 103-run third-wicket partnership off 55 balls with Ajinkya Rahane, laying a solid foundation as they scored at over 10 runs per over during the IPL 2025 season opener match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.</p><p>After Quinton de Kock's early dismissal, Narine took some time to settle in before breaking the shackles in the fifth over. He followed it up with a couple more boundaries in the next overs.</p><p>In the 8th over, there was a moment when Narine's bat accidentally hit the stumps, but he was given not out. </p>.IPL 2025 | Shardul Thakur set to join LSG as replacement for injured Mohsin: Report.<p>On the fourth ball of RCB pacer Rasikh Salam's over, a wide was called outside the off stump. Narine swung hard but missed the ball, and the umpire called it a wide. Moments later, Narine’s bat grazed the stumps, causing one of the bails to fall off.</p><p>RCB fans felt Narine should have been given out, but here's why he wasn’t:</p>.<p>As the on-field umpire had already called the delivery a wide, the ball was no longer in play. According to MCC rule 35.1.1, a batsman is out hit-wicket if, after the bowler begins their delivery stride and while the ball is in play, the batsman’s wicket is broken by their bat or body. Since the ball was declared wide, it was not in play, so the hit-wicket rule didn’t apply.</p><p>Meanwhile, Bengaluru restricted Kolkata to 174/8 despite a quickfire 56 from skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Kolkata could only manage 67 runs in the final 10 overs, losing six wickets in the process.</p><p>Virat Kohli took center stage with a 36-ball knock, setting up the chase in a 95-run opening partnership with England's Phil Salt, who smashed 56. Bengaluru achieved the target with 22 balls to spare. Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match.</p><p>The 18th edition of the IPL kicked off on Saturday with a glitzy opening ceremony, as Bollywood performers captivated the full house with song and dance routines.</p>
<p>KKR opener and star all-rounder <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/sunil-narine">Sunil Narine</a> contributed 44 off 26 balls in a 103-run third-wicket partnership off 55 balls with Ajinkya Rahane, laying a solid foundation as they scored at over 10 runs per over during the IPL 2025 season opener match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.</p><p>After Quinton de Kock's early dismissal, Narine took some time to settle in before breaking the shackles in the fifth over. He followed it up with a couple more boundaries in the next overs.</p><p>In the 8th over, there was a moment when Narine's bat accidentally hit the stumps, but he was given not out. </p>.IPL 2025 | Shardul Thakur set to join LSG as replacement for injured Mohsin: Report.<p>On the fourth ball of RCB pacer Rasikh Salam's over, a wide was called outside the off stump. Narine swung hard but missed the ball, and the umpire called it a wide. Moments later, Narine’s bat grazed the stumps, causing one of the bails to fall off.</p><p>RCB fans felt Narine should have been given out, but here's why he wasn’t:</p>.<p>As the on-field umpire had already called the delivery a wide, the ball was no longer in play. According to MCC rule 35.1.1, a batsman is out hit-wicket if, after the bowler begins their delivery stride and while the ball is in play, the batsman’s wicket is broken by their bat or body. Since the ball was declared wide, it was not in play, so the hit-wicket rule didn’t apply.</p><p>Meanwhile, Bengaluru restricted Kolkata to 174/8 despite a quickfire 56 from skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Kolkata could only manage 67 runs in the final 10 overs, losing six wickets in the process.</p><p>Virat Kohli took center stage with a 36-ball knock, setting up the chase in a 95-run opening partnership with England's Phil Salt, who smashed 56. Bengaluru achieved the target with 22 balls to spare. Krunal Pandya was named Player of the Match.</p><p>The 18th edition of the IPL kicked off on Saturday with a glitzy opening ceremony, as Bollywood performers captivated the full house with song and dance routines.</p>
