Mumbai Indians’ new recruit Satyanarayana Raju grabbed attention during their IPL 2025 clash against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where he bowled one of the slowest deliveries ever seen in the IPL. The 25-year-old pacer from Andhra Pradesh stunned everyone with his back-of-the-hand slower ball in the 13th over, catching Gujarat’s Jos Buttler off guard. The delivery, which seemed to float in the air before reaching the batter at an unbelievably low pace, was a rare sight in the high-paced T20 format.
Despite Buttler managing to play the ball safely, the variation showcased Raju’s unconventional style and fearless attitude on such a big stage. It was an important moment for the young pacer, who is still finding his feet in the IPL, having only made his debut a few days earlier.
A Challenging Start to IPL 2025
Satyanarayana Raju played his first IPL match on March 23 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he was given just one over and ended up conceding 13 runs. Despite this, the Mumbai Indians team management showed confidence in him, retaining him for the next game against Gujarat Titans.
Before the match, Raju was seen engaging in a deep discussion with Mumbai Indians veteran Rohit Sharma, who was offering him words of encouragement. The young bowler seemed to be taking in every bit of advice from the experienced cricketer, which suggested that Mumbai had plans to give him a bigger role in the bowling unit.
With Hardik Pandya winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the stage was set for Mumbai’s bowling attack to make an impact. However, Raju’s initial spell did not go as planned.
A Mixed Performance Under Pressure
Raju’s first over went for 13 runs, as Gujarat’s batters took advantage of his inexperience. Mumbai’s captain Hardik Pandya opted to hold him back for the later stages, and he was brought back into the attack during the death overs, when the Titans were looking to accelerate. Unfortunately, his slower balls became predictable, and Sherfane Rutherford took full advantage, smashing a few of his deliveries into the stands.
With Mumbai’s bowlers under pressure, Pandya showed faith in Raju and entrusted him with the final over of the innings. This time, the young pacer held his nerve. After conceding a six to Rashid Khan, he made a strong comeback, dismissing the Afghanistan all-rounder and giving away just 10 runs in the over. His final figures read 3 overs, 1 for 40, which might not seem impressive on paper, but his ability to recover and execute under pressure left a positive impression on the Mumbai Indians’ camp.
Mumbai’s Surprising Selection Call
Interestingly, Mumbai Indians made a bold selection decision ahead of the Gujarat Titans clash, dropping leg-spinner Vignesh Puthur, who had made an exceptional IPL debut against CSK, picking up three wickets. Puthur’s absence raised eyebrows among fans and experts, with reports suggesting that he was left out due to an injury.
With Puthur missing, Mumbai was forced to reshuffle their bowling lineup, giving Raju a bigger responsibility. While his performance had its ups and downs, he showed glimpses of his talent and potential, which could make him an important asset for Mumbai as the IPL 2025 season progresses.
What’s Next for Satyanarayana Raju?
While his figures from the game might not have been outstanding, the fact that he was trusted with the final over speaks volumes about Mumbai’s belief in his abilities. With the tournament still in its early stages, Raju will have plenty of opportunities to refine his skills, work on his variations, and develop into a more consistent performer.
Mumbai Indians will be hoping that his raw pace, variations, and fearless attitude can help them in tight situations moving forward. For now, he remains a work in progress, but his ability to bounce back after a tough start shows promise for the future.
