Slowest Ball in IPL History? MI’s Raju Stuns Jos Buttler With Comical Delivery

This year’s Indian Premier League has seen some extraordinary moments. From towering sixes, fiery yorkers to incredible finishes, almost everything. But on March 23, 2025, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, fans saw something different: a ball so slow, so rare that it instantly went viral.

The bowler? Satyanarayana Raju, the new fast bowler for Mumbai Indians from Andhra Pradesh. The batsman at the crease? Jos Buttler, one of the world’s most devastating hitters.

The Delivery That Stunned Everyone

During the 13th over of the innings against Gujarat Titans, Raju bowled the slowest delivery in IPL history. The ball bounced off his hand and hung in the air, so slow that Buttler had time to settle twice before hitting it.

The next delivery, a short-pitch slow delivery, was just as slow. This time Buttler adjusted early and easily cleared it for another four. To the spectators, it looked more like a throwdown in the nets than an IPL match.

Social media was immediately outraged. Many compared Raju’s pace to Dwayne Bravo’s slow delivery, while memes flooded the timeline, likening the ball to “getting stuck in slow motion”.

IPL Debut and Early Struggles

Raju’s IPL journey began a week ago against Chennai Super Kings. He had a great debut, scoring 13 runs. However, the Mumbai Indians management was calling him a supporter, and believed in the 25-year-old’s versatility.

Before the match against Gujarat, captain Rohit Shah looked like a leader even after the toss. Unfortunately, the man got the bag. Raju made a total of three overs, 40 runs. Sheriff Rutherford gave him the explanation, as many have said on the pitch.

Redemption in the Final Over

However, Rajun responded to his space tussle. In the last over of his quota, Gujarati star Onder Rajdand managed to dismiss the mine, which was praised, in the same result he was written a six.

His figures read in total: 3 results, 40 per cent, 1 improvement. Not fair, but it is to give Mumbai a reason to continue their development.

Why Was the Ball So Slow?

Raju’s infamous “funny” delivery was not accidental. It was a deliberate slow bouncer from behind the arm, which many fast bowlers try to trick batsmen with. However, in this case, the delivery was driven in an exaggerated manner, causing the ball to spin at an unusually slow speed.

The element of surprise worked in the sense that it took all the spectators by surprise. Unfortunately for Raju, Buttler had the composure and skill to wait for him and punish him.

Comparisons With Dwayne Bravo

It is not uncommon for the slow ball to dominate IPL highlight reels. One of the league’s greatest death bowlers, Dwayne Bravo, made a career of bowling off-pace that would have even the best batsmen dizzy.

Raju’s effort was in the same vein, but the contrast was clear. Bravo’s slow bowling created uncertainty, while Raju’s delivery was so clear that Buttler had time to adjust.

Mumbai Indians’ Call: Risk or Reward?

Mumbai also have a plan to do Raju. The franchise has parted ways with leg-spinner Vignesh Puthur, who was promoted to the third position on debut. In his place, Raju has been announced as a variation option in the pace attack.

Whenever they turn down the slow ball, Rohit Sharma and the Mumbai Indians show their confidence that they can count on him.

Social Media Reactions

Cricket fans had a field day reacting to the unusual delivery:

• “Slowest ball in IPL history. Even my grandma could’ve hit that!”
• “Raju bowling in Windows Media Player buffer speed.”
• “Bravo would be proud or maybe rolling his eyes.”

Memes and edits quickly made Raju one of the most discussed names of the match, even overshadowing some of the game’s bigger performances.

Conclusion

IPL is all about entertainment, and Satyanarayana Raju certainly bowled that ball. His extremely slow bouncer to Jos Buttler may not have gotten him a wicket, but it gave cricket fans a moment they won’t soon forget.

For Raju, the challenge will be to turn this viral moment into a learning curve. If he can sharpen his skills and maintain his composure, this “ridiculous” early incident could one day become his successful IPL career.

Until then, cricket lovers will continue to talk and laugh about the ball, which marks it as one of the slowest balls bowled in IPL history.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Satyanarayana Raju?

Satyanarayana Raju is a 25-year-old fast bowler from Andhra Pradesh who is likely to make his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2025.

Q2. Why is his delivery against Jos Buttler being talked about?

Raju Boland, an exceptionally slow bouncer, hit a boundary, leading fans to call it “the slowest ball in IPL history”.

Q3. What were Raju’s bowling figures in that match?

Raju bowled 3 overs, gave away 40 runs and took 1 wicket (Rashid Khan).

Q4. How does Raju’s slower ball compare with Dwayne Bravo’s?

Bravo’s slowness was well hidden, while Rajuna speaks and says slowness, an easy name to see for a batman like Butler because of Malai.

Q5. Will Mumbai Indians continue backing him?

Yes, Mumbai Indians are likely to invest in Raju despite the tonguing of the times, and captain Rohit Sharma has shown faith in the pacer’s abilities.

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