If only the team had won, says Sunil Narine

For any performer, even a small contribution in a winning cause is more significant than anything bigger that does not help the team win.

Sunil Narine, who sliced through the Kings XI Punjab with a hat-trick, echoed similar sentiments after the Kolkata Knight Riders’ four-run loss here on Tuesday.

“Picking up a hat-trick is always special, but if the team is not winning then it goes in vain. I would be far happier if the team had won due to my bowling efforts.

“I didn’t go onto the field thinking of claiming any particular number of wickets. It just happened and I am satisfied with my efforts,” said the off-spinner after the match.

Reliving the hat-trick — the first of this edition of the IPL — Narine said: “All (wickets) were special. But (David) Hussey was a set batsman, and getting his wicket helped us get a foothold into the match. The other two batsmen (Azhar Mahmood and Gurkeerat Mann) didn’t read my carrom ball, which is always difficult to pick right at the start.”

When asked about how it felt to be bowling in tandem with another off-spinner, Sachithra Senanayeka, Narine said: “It is the first time I have played alongside him.

“He is a good bowler. It makes my job a lot easier. Hopefully, we will continue bowling well in tandem in the future games too.”

On getting back the ‘purple cap’ for the highest number of wickets so far, Narine said: “I know things have been going pretty well for me in the competition.

“Getting back the Purple Cap definitely feels good.

“But it’s only a personal achievement.”