Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has hailed Sunil Narine as the most outstanding player in IPL history following the all-rounder’s stellar performance for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2026 season.
Narine excelled with figures of 2 for 29 in KKR’s triumph over Gujarat Titans (GT), earning him the player of the match award in his 200th IPL game.
During ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, Rayudu lauded Narine for his consistent impact in the tournament, labeling him as a match-winner with both bat and ball, and ranking him at the pinnacle of IPL players.
Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar joined in the praise, describing Narine as a league legend and one of the top five performers in IPL history. Bangar highlighted Narine’s longevity and adaptability in the face of scrutiny over his bowling action throughout his career.
Narine currently holds the third position in the all-time IPL wicket-takers list with 205 scalps, trailing only Yuzvendra Chahal (230) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (220). He is also the most experienced overseas player in IPL history, having solely represented KKR since 2012.
Having played a significant role in KKR’s title wins in 2012, 2014, and 2024, Narine has consistently delivered impressive performances, never conceding more than eight runs per over in any IPL season. This year, he is maintaining an economy rate of 6.79 runs per over.
Bangar commended Narine’s recent performance, noting that his consistency sets him apart, while Rayudu highlighted the challenge of facing Narine’s deliveries that tend to grip the surface, making it difficult for batsmen to line him up effectively in the fast-paced T20 format.
