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Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has ignited a massive IPL debate after naming Sunil Narine the best player to have ever graced the competition.

Rayudu's bold claim came while speaking on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut following Narine's latest match-winning display for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.

The veteran all-rounder once again proved his class in KKR's triumph over Gujarat Titans at the Eden Gardens, restricting the opposition in the chase of 248 runs and finishing with bowling figures of 2 for 29 off his four overs. Narine was duly awarded Player of the Match for his sensational display of bowling.

The latest spell meant Narine reached a massive landmark in his career as he made his 200th IPL appearance.

"Best IPL player, according to me, of all time. Proper match-winner with the ball and with the bat. There have been many great players in the IPL, but this guy always stands out. He's at the top of the list for me," Rayudu lauded Narine's all-round brilliance.

Sunil Narine has been the linchpin for Kolkata Knight Riders since he arrived at the club in 2012 and has helped them to two Indian Premier League titles.

He was part of the KKR team that won their first IPL title in 2012 where he took 24 wickets in 15 games at an astounding economy of just 5.47 runs.

The mystery spinner once again starred for the Kolkata franchise in their IPL 2014 triumph, taking 21 wickets in 16 games with a further remarkable economy rate of 6.35.

However, it was during the KKR title-winning run two years prior where his impact became the biggest. Aside from taking 17 wickets in 15 games at an economy rate of 6.69 runs, Narine produced fire with the bat and struck 488 runs with a 180.74 strike rate. This was achieved thanks to one century and three half-centuries.

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Although he retired from International cricket in the year 2023 Sunil Narine is still performing at the elite level in the IPL. The veteran spinner has already picked up 13 wickets in the IPL 2026 and has an economy rate of 6.70 which is a testament to the bowler’s economy controlling skills that have now become crucial in modern day T20 cricket due to its favorable batting pitches.

It has now been more than a decade that Narine has been playing with consistent excellence, and has cemented his position as one of the greatest overseas players of all time in the IPL history. The bowler also has made many games turn for KKR with his belligerent batting at the top of the order throughout the years.

The comments made by Rayudu has initiated another fresh debate between the cricket fanatics over the title of The Greatest IPL Player of all time.

While it is a list that definitely comprises of all time greats like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, Rayudu argues that the all-round game of the bowler makes him all the more superior to the rest.