Why Sunil Narine remains Rohit Sharma’s biggest challenge as MI open IPL 2026 campaign vs KKR

Against MI, Sunil Narine has a tight economy rate of 6.73 and has also taken 31 wickets in 26 games.

Published on: Mar 29, 2026, 17:04:22 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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All eyes will be on Sunil Narine's battle with Rohit Sharma as Kolkata Knight Riders take on Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2026 opener on Sunday. Although the MI opener has been dominant against KKR, but he has always found it difficult against the off-spinner.

Sunil Narine has a dominant record against MI opener Rohit Sharma.

Narine has dismissed Rohit eight times, more than any other bowler in IPL history. Rohit has faced Narine in 21 innings in IPL history, and has managed only 143 runs with a strike rate of 106.71 and 17.87 average.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma vs Kolkata Knight Riders: 1083 runs, six fifties underline MI star’s dominance ahead of IPL 2026 clash

Against MI, Narine has a tight economy rate of 6.73 and has also taken 31 wickets in 26 games.

For their upcoming game, KKR will be travelling to Mumbai and the match will take place at the Wankhede Stadium.

This year, MI will be looking to end their five-year title drought in the IPL. It has been a while since they held the trophy, which they won five times between 2013-2020. Last year, MI, led by Hardik Pandya, finished in third spot, losing to runners-up PBKS in Qualifier 2.

Other than Narine, KKR also have Varun Chakaravarthy in their bowling line-up. Blessing Muzarabani could also be key for them this season. Meanwhile, they had to release Mustafizur Rahman on BCCI's instructions. Also, Akash Deep and Harshit Rana are out of the tournament due to injuries.

Recently former RCB player Faf du Plessis emphasised the importance of Narine and Varun. "If I was part of the KKR team management, I would ask the groundsman at Eden Gardens to make the wicket spin-friendly. KKR are blessed to have two absolute cannons in Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine," he said.

"They are two of the best T20 spinners in the game right now. Both, Varun and Narine, have to be in the game. If they play on surfaces where they are not in contention, then you are losing those two cannons and your superpower.

"Yes, they can bowl well on any wicket and trouble batters. But for KKR to be successful this IPL, Varun and Narine need to fire. The pitch should be prepared keeping those two players in mind," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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