Sunil

Narine

Sunil Narine Biography and Career

Sunil Narine, who plays for the West Indies, is a cricketing mystery whose unconventional bowling and explosive batting have redefined the role of an all-rounder in the T20 cricket format.

Narine earned the tag of "mystery spinner" early in his career because of his ability to disguise his off-break, knuckleball and carrom ball. His mystery spin has deceived batters across the cricketing world. His approach to cricket is characterised by unpredictability and flexibility, which shines through despite repeated scrutiny over his bowling action.

Narine's career started with a bang when he took all 10 wickets in a trial match and earned a place in the Trinidad and Tobago squad in 2009. His breakthrough came in the 2011 Champions League Twenty20, where he took 10 wickets and caught the attention of selectors and IPL scouts. 

The same year, he made his international debut for the West Indies. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for the West Indies against India in December 2011. In his debut match, he took his first wicket, dismissing Virat Kohli. His performance earned him a chance to play Tests and T20Is for the West Indies in 2012. Narine played a key role in the West Indies' 2012 T20 World Cup win, taking the final wicket of Lasith Malinga to secure the title.

Soon, his Indian Premier League journey started with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012, where he took 24 wickets in 15 matches to help clinch their maiden title. For his performance, he earned the Player of the Tournament award. The 2012 season remains his career peak, as he also topped the ICC T20I bowlers’ rankings in 2014.

In the 2014 IPL season, Narine's outstanding performance was crucial to KKR winning the title. He took 21 wickets with an economy rate of 6.35, making him the second-highest wicket-taker of the season.

Narine is incredibly hard to face because of his tricky spin and quick action, making it tough for batters to predict his balls. His tight bowling keeps his economy rate under 6.5 in T20s. Over time, He has evolved into a destructive opener in the IPL, hitting runs at a strike rate of over 160. In 2024, he scored his first T20 century - 109 runs off 56 balls against Rajasthan Royals (RR) - proving he’s improved as a batter.

Narine's journey reflects adaptability - remodelling his actions multiple times after suspensions in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2020, yet remained a T20 force. Narine missed the 2014 Champions League Twenty20 final after being suspended for an illegal action with an arm bent over 15 degrees and was suspended from bowling in international cricket in November 2015. His action was reported during the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka. However, in April 2016, he was cleared to bowl in all forms of domestic and international cricket.

The third time his action was reported was during the Pakistan Super League 2018 edition, but it was cleared soon after. In the 2020 Indian Premier League, his bowling action was reported yet again, but it was cleared by the IPL Suspect Bowling Action Committee later in the season.

However, this did not stop him from being the "mystery bowler" in the world of cricket. Even his leadership in coaching young spinners at KKR, like Varun Chakravarthy, further highlighted his evolution.

Despite Narine’s controversial bowling action which was repeatedly reported and cleared, fans adore his impressive performances, with social media buzzing after his 2024 IPL MVP (Most Valuable Player) award, where he scored 488 runs and took 17 wickets. This was the third time he won the MVP player award in IPL (the most by a single player).

He also became the fourth player overall to play 500 T20 matches during the 2024 Indian Premier League and the first spinner and the first KKR player to achieve this feat. Not just that, Narine is the only bowler in T20 history to bowl a maiden Super Over. He achieved this feat in a Caribbean Premier League match between Red Steel and Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2014. 

Narine's evolution from a pure bowler to a versatile all-rounder is truly remarkable. Since 2017, he has showcased his ability to open the batting for KKR, as well as his expertise in spin bowling, making him a unique asset for the team. Retained by KKR for Rs 12 crore for the IPL 2025 season, Narine continues to be a key pillar of their bowling attack. 

After retiring from international cricket in November 2023, he has shifted his focus to the T20 league, where he plays for teams such as Trinbago Knight Riders and Oval Invincibles, further cementing his legacy as a global T20 icon.

Beyond Cricket

Outside cricket, Sunil Narine leads a private life in Arima, Trinidad. Married to Anjellia, with whom he has a young son, Narine values family over fame. His earlier marriage to Nandita Kumar, a Trinidad-based nail artist, ended in separation. Narine’s hobbies are low-key, with little public insight into his interests beyond cricket. He owns luxury cars, including a Range Rover and Audi, and multiple real estate properties, reflecting his financial success. As of 2025, Narine's net worth lies between Rs 95 and 105 crore, or around $11.5 million, which he earned through IPL contracts, brand endorsements, real estate, and investments.

Narine endorses very few brands, focusing on cricket-related sponsorships. Some of the brands he has endorsed are Parimatch, a global gaming platform, FairPlay, Atlantic Sports and Insignia Sports. His low activity on social media is a departure from his on-field appearances, but fans appreciate his humility. Named after Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar by his father Shahid, Narine's Afro-Indian heritage adds cultural depth to his identity, resonating with fans across the Caribbean and India.

Sunil Narine Records

Sunil Narine Test Records:

• Played 6 matches, taking 21 wickets at an average of 40.52.
• Best bowling figures: Took 6/91 in a match against New Zealand in 2012.

Sunil Narine ODI Records:

• Best bowling figures of 6/27, which came against South Africa in 2013.
• Two five-wicket hauls and an economy rate of 4.13.

Sunil Narine T20I Records:

• Best bowling figures: Took 4/12 in a match against New Zealand in 2012.
• Took nine wickets in the 2012 T20 World Cup, which helped the West Indies win the title.

Sunil Narine IPL Records:

• With 190 wickets in 188 matches in the Indian Premier League, Narine is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history.
• Best bowling figures: Took 5/19 in a match against Kings XI Punjab in 2012.
• Only player with a century and a five-wicket haul in IPL history.
• Won the most valuable player (MVP) award (2012, 2018, 2024), the most by any player in IPL.
• Took a hat-trick against Kings XI Punjab in 2013 (David Hussey, Azhar Mehmood, Gurkeerat Singh).

Sunil Narine Other Formats

• First bowler to deliver a maiden Super Over in T20 cricket, against Nicolas Pooran in a CPL match.
• In 500 T20 matches (as of March 2024), took over 500 wickets across global leagues.
• Leading wicket-taker for Trinidad and Tobago in the 2012 Regional Four Day Competition with 31 wickets at an average of 9.61.
• Three four-wicket hauls against Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL, a record for a spinner against a single franchise.