Not Jasprit Bumrah! Ambati Rayudu picks the toughest bowler he’s ever faced in IPL history

Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has picked the toughest bowler he has ever faced in the IPL. The cricketer-turned-commentator admitted that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Sunil Narine troubled him, as he struggled to read the mystery spinner’s deliveries during his playing career in the IPL.

Rayudu is one of the most successful players in IPL history. He shares the record for the most titles with Rohit Sharma. The former batter secured six championships during his career. He won three IPL titles with Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017) and another three with Chennai Super Kings (2018, 2021, 2023).

I Never Picked Sunil Narine - Ambati Rayudu

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, former England cricketer Nick Knight asked Ambati Rayudu to name the toughest bowler he had faced in the IPL.

In response, Rayudu said that Sunil Narine troubled him the most. He admitted that he struggled to read Narine’s deliveries and often misjudged the turn, making it particularly challenging to play against him.

"I'm just asking because I know that he's won the IPL six times. So I'm just wondering, in that period, who's the best bowler you've ever faced?" Nick Knight asked.

"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 said on ESPNCricinfo.

Ambati Rayudu Retired from IPL After 2023 Victory

Ambati Rayudu ended his IPL career after the Chennai Super Kings' title-winning campaign in 2023. The experienced batter had announced his retirement before the final against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Rayudu was a key player for both the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings during his 14-year IPL career. He amassed 4,348 runs in 203 matches at an average of just over 28, with a strike rate of 127.54. The batter was known for his ability to dominate spinners and shift momentum in the middle overs.

Apart from the IPL, Rayudu also played in overseas franchise leagues. He represented the Texas Super Kings in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2023. Rayudu also played for St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023.

Sunil Narine Among Leading Wicket-Takers in IPL History

Sunil Narine is among the few cricketers who have played for a single franchise throughout their IPL career. He made his debut in 2012 and has been a vital part of the Kolkata Knight Riders setup. Narine was a crucial player in their three championship wins.

The spinner has taken 181 wickets in 177 matches, including seven four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. In addition to his bowling, he has also made valuable contributions with the bat. He has amassed 1,578 runs, which include seven half-centuries and a century.

In the IPL 2025 opener, Narine delivered an all-round performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The left-hander scored 44 runs from 26 balls at a striking rate of 169.23, hitting three sixes and five fours. With the ball, he finished with figures of 1/27 in his four-over spell.

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