New Delhi:

Moeen Ali was a last-minute addition to Kolkata Knight Riders’ playing XI against Rajasthan Royals after a late pull out of Sunil Narine due to injury but he justified his inclusion with an impressive bowling display in their win over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025.

‘No let up in intensity’

Ali has stopped playing international cricket but didn’t allow a decrease in intensity despite knowing that he was behind Narine and Chakravarthy in the spin-bowling pecking order.

“I have been practising well. I was told this morning that Sunil was not well. It was hard to replace Sunil but I did a fair job,” Ali said.

Rajasthan skipper Riyan Parag said that they fell short of their desired score while batting and needed 170, which was a winning score on the track according to him.

“170 was going to be a really good score, that’s what we were aiming for. I personally rushed a little bit knowing the wicket here. Fell short by 20 runs. That was the plan, to get Quinny out early, but that didn’t happen.

“Not much, complete freedom from our side. Moeen is a quality player who has opened in the past. He couldn’t get going with the bat, but very happy with what he did with the ball.

It was the defending champion KKR’s first win in IPL 2025 after an opening day loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru while Rajasthan have now slumped to losses in their first two games.

At the sticky and turning track of Barsapara Stadium, Ali landed crucial blows to derail the charge of Rajasthan’s formidable batting line-up, earning praise from KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane.

“Moeen got his opportunity and he bowled really well. Credit goes to our bowling unit too who were always looking to pick wickets, especially Moeen,” Rahane said after the match, adding that the experienced English cricketer didn’t need much instruction.

Off-spinner Ali claimed 2/23 and complemented fellow spinner Varun Chakravarthy (2/17) as KKR restricted Rajasthan to 151 for nine and then chased it down with 15 balls to spare to win by eight wickets in Guwahati.

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