Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken an indirect dig at former West Indies international Sunil Narine over his bowling action. If there has been one mystery spinner that has ruled the world of T20 cricket since 2012 till now, it has been Narine, as he continues to deliver match-winning performances across various franchise leagues till now.
Sunil Narine’s action has been one of the most talked-about, with debate over whether he is chucking. He was forced to revamp his action after he was first reported for a suspected illegal action on September 29, 2014, during the Champions League T20, and was soon scrutinized, prompting him to change his action.
While speaking on the Star Sports show, #CheekySingles, Ashwin was asked about bowling no balls and also chucking the ball; the hosts stated that the spinners are now allowed to chuck the balls. But R Ashwin replied hilariously, taking a dig at Narine, saying that not everyone is allowed, and everyone in the show laughed.
Ravichandran Ashwin takes indirect dig at Sunil Narine
Ashwin then later clarified that there is a huge difference between bat and ball, also jokingly saying that the fans and crowd applaud when batters hit boundaries and even when bowlers bowl no-balls, but there is a contrasting view when the bowlers pick wickets, as everyone goes silent.
Ashwin said, “No, not everyone is allowed. [Laughs] What all have I said? Tell me. No, no, I mean, it’s nothing. It just slipped out.”
“What I was trying to say is that there’s now such a huge difference between bat and ball. If a batter hits a four or a six, everyone applauds. If we bowl a no-ball, even that announcement gets applause. But when we actually take a wicket, there’s complete silence.”
Interviewer: I think these days, chucking is allowed for spinners
Ravichandran Ashwin (laughing): Not everyone is allowed 😂 pic.twitter.com/guURYiI5MI
— OldMonkofCricket (@OldMonkOfCric) July 24, 2026
Sunil Narine the undisputed GOAT of IPL
Sunil Narine was called into question again in 2015 when he served a brief ban from the IPL. However, five years later in 2020, he served a warning but was cleared soon. Despite all the struggles and changes in bowling actions over the years, Narine remains one of the greatest cricketers of all time to ever play T20 cricket.
The West Indies spinner is the only cricketer to win three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, which is the Player of the Tournament prize in the history of the IPL, and all for one franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He won in 2012, 2018 and 2024.
He is the leading wicket-taker for a single franchise, picking 207 wickets across 202 matches. The veteran all-rounder became the first overseas bowler and the third player overall to reach the 200-wicket milestone in the tournament and also the third highest wicket-taker overall in the tournament’s history. This showcases his talent and the legacy he carries still now.
Sunil Narine’s recent form
Recently, Sunil Narine won the Player of the Tournament (Most Valuable Player) award in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026, with the sister franchise of KKR, which is the Los Angeles Knight Riders, in the MLC.
He picked 18 wickets in 11 matches as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Los Angeles Knight Riders, who are the champions of MLC 2026.
