Sunil Narine Behind MI Strategy Change, Says Ex-Player Ambati Rayudu
In the gathering of MI, it was asserted that there's no viable solution to counter Sunil Narine: A analysis on the prowess of KKR spinner by Rayudu
In what seems to be a game-changer, former India batsman Ambati Rayudu reveals the Mumbai Indians' strategy against the fearsome spinner Sunil Narine: keep him at bay. Rayudu, who played for MI from 2010 to 2017, admitted that the team had frequent discussions on handling Narine but eventually decided to contain him by successfully keeping him out of the opposition's plan.
During a meeting, the team decided to switch their tactics against the Kolkata Knight Riders spin maestro, believing there was no viable solution to outsmart him. Instead, they aimed to contain him by allowing him to bowl his overs without taking needless risks. Rayudu acknowledged Narine as a persistent obstacle for the MI middle order [1].
The strategy shift became evident during the DC vs KKR IPL 2025 match, where Narine, temporarily captaining KKR in the absence of Ajinkya Rahane, snatched the game from DC's grip. Narine turned the tide with two crucial wickets in the 14th over, triggering a collapse, and then clean bowled the dangerous duo of Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis in consecutive deliveries in the next over to all but end DC's chase [2].
As a result, Rayudu stated that Narine, who has continually dismantled batting lineups in the IPL's middle overs [3], is one of the rare bowlers capable of obliterating an entire batting unit under pressure [1]. According to the stats, Narine has amassed 31 wickets in 26 matches against MI at an economy rate of 6.65, demonstrating his enduring threat to MI.
Former West Indies batsman Daren Ganga, a teammate of Narine during his early days in Trinidad, highlighted that Narine has always built up pressure, whether he has taken wickets or not [4]. Ganga views Narine as an invaluable asset in T20 cricket.
- Ambati Rayudu
- Sunil Narine
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Mumbai Indians
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Enrichment Data:
- Rayudu described that MI often had team meetings discussing strategies against Narine and ultimately decided to let him bowl unscathed.
- Narine caused a significant impact in the DC vs KKR IPL 2025 match by dismissing Patel, Stubbs, and du Plessis.
- Narine has often dismantled the opposition's middle orders in IPL matches.
- Ganga stated that Narine builds pressure during his spells, regardless of the number of wickets he takes.
In the IPL 2025, the strategy of Mumbai Indians towards Sunil Narine, the Kolkata Knight Riders spin maestro, has significantly changed as per former player Ambati Rayudu. During team meetings, the discussion often revolved around Narine, with the decision to contain him rather than outsmart him made in the end [1]. Interestingly, this change in approach was evident during the DC vs KKR IPL 2025 match, where Narine, temporarily captaining KKR, claimed crucial wickets and triggered a collapse [2]. Despite the strategy shift, Narine's threat to the Mumbai Indians remains, as he has taken 31 wickets in 26 matches against them at an economy rate of 6.65 [3]. Former West Indies batsman Daren Ganga, who was a teammate of Narine during his early days, emphasized that Narine consistently builds pressure during his spells, making him an invaluable asset in T20 cricket [4].
