Ambati Rayudu creates fresh controversy involving Sunil Narine and Jasprit Bumrah

Former Team India batter Ambati Rayudu took part in the popular This or That challenge in the who was more difficult to face category. The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Sunil Narine over Mumbai Indians' (MI) Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest player he faced in his career.

Rayudu had an illustrious career in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He won six titles during his career — three with Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017) and three with Chennai Super Kings (2018, 2021, 2023). The batter holds the record for the most IPL championships won by a player, alongside Rohit Sharma.

Watch: Ambati Rayudu Picks the Most Difficult Bowlers to Face

In a video shared by ESPNcricinfo (formerly known as Twitter), several cricketers’ names were thrown at Ambati Rayudu to pick who was more difficult to face in the IPL and international cricket. In this game, Rayudu initially picked Mitchell Starc over Lasith Malinga.

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The former cricketer had no hesitation in choosing Sunil Narine over Starc in the next round. Rayudu continued to pick Narine ahead of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Pat Cummins. He also overlooked bowlers Mohammad Amir, Trent Boult, and Mohammed Shami.

When asked to choose between Jasprit Bumrah and Sunil Narine, Rayudu took a brief pause before picking the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner.

Here is the video of Rayudu's rapid responses in the 'This or That' challenge:

Bumrah or Narine - who is more difficult to face? 👀 pic.twitter.com/BNCp9ow29W

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 17, 2025

The One Who Has Troubled Me the Most Is Sunil Narine - Ambati Rayudu

Last month, Ambati Rayudu was asked to name the toughest bowler he had faced in the IPL. Rayudu stated that Sunil Narine was the one who had troubled him the most. The batter revealed that he never picked Narine’s deliveries.

"The one who has troubled me the most is Sunil Narine. I never picked him. If I can use the word, I used to play fresh cricket. Somehow, I never picked him. And every time I tried to charge and bluff my way into it, going this side of it, it always turned the other side," Ambati Rayudu had said on ESPNCricinfo.

Sunil Narine Key Player for Kolkata Knight Riders

Sunil Narine has been a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 so far. He began the season with 44 runs off 26 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The left-handed batter has scored 130 runs in 6 innings at an average of 21.67 and a strike rate of 185.71, with a best score of 44.

With the ball, the spinner has taken seven wickets in six matches at an average of 22 and an economy rate of 7.33, with best bowling figures of 3/13.

Throughout his IPL career, Narine has played 183 matches and taken 187 wickets with eight four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. He has amassed 1,664 runs, including seven half-centuries and a century.

Also read: Sunil Narine, Anrich Nortje caught fooling BCCI in broad daylight!! Ban Incoming?