Moeen Ali, the seasoned England all-rounder, made his debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025, stepping in for the injured Sunil Narine. In a match against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, Moeen showcased his skills by taking two crucial wickets and conceding only 23 runs in his four overs. His performance complemented fellow spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who also excelled with figures of 2 for 17. Together, they restricted Rajasthan Royals to 151/9, setting up a comfortable chase for KKR.
Moeen expressed his admiration for Varun, calling him a “brilliant bowler” and highlighting his growth over the past few years. Moeen mentioned that he is accustomed to bowling alongside players who are better than him, emphasizing his role in building pressure for others to take wickets. He also praised the balanced nature of the KKR team and the camaraderie among players.
Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97 ensured KKR’s eight-wicket victory, marking a strong start for the team in the tournament. Moeen’s debut performance has been widely appreciated, and he remains optimistic about contributing further to KKR’s campaign.
