Kolkata Knight Riders’ stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane hailed Moeen Ali’s brilliant bowling performance after the veteran off-spinner played a key role in their IPL 2025 victory over Rajasthan Royals in match 6, held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Ali, who replaced Sunil Narine in the playing XI, justified the team’s faith by returning figures of 2/23 in four overs at an impressive economy of 5.8, dismissing key batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana.
Key Highlights:
Rahane Praises Moeen Ali’s Bowling Impact
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahane was full of praise for Moeen’s disciplined effort with the ball:
“Firstly, we bowled really well in the first six overs. The middle overs were crucial, too – the way the spinners controlled things. Moeen got his opportunity, and he bowled really well. This is a format where we want players to play fearlessly… credit goes to our bowling unit, especially Moeen.”
Despite Moeen Ali’s poor outing with the bat—he scored just 5 runs off 12 balls before being run out—Rahane backed the English all-rounder:
“Moeen is a quality player who has opened in the past. He couldn’t get going with the bat, but I’m very happy with what he did with the ball.”
Match Summary: KKR vs RR, IPL 2025
- Target: 152 runs set by Rajasthan Royals
- KKR Opening Pair: Moeen Ali and Quinton de Kock
- KKR scored 40/0 in the Powerplay
- Moeen was run out for 5 in the 7th over
- Rahane scored 18 (15) before being dismissed by Wanindu Hasaranga
- Quinton de Kock anchored the chase with a blistering 97 off 61 balls*, finishing the match with a six in the 18th over
- Youngster Angrish Raghuvanshi supported with 22 off 17 balls*
- Rajasthan Royals’ only wicket came through Hasaranga; the other was a runout
Bowling Breakdown: Moeen Ali’s Match-Turning Spell
Moeen’s figures:
- Overs: 4
- Runs: 23
- Wickets: 2
- Economy: 5.8
- Key wickets: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana
His spell helped KKR contain RR in the middle overs, restricting them to a manageable total.
Moeen Ali Makes His Mark
While moeen ali may have faltered with the bat, his controlled and strategic bowling proved vital in KKR’s second win of IPL 2025. Skipper Rahane’s strong endorsement reflects the all-rounder’s value to the team’s plans. As the tournament progresses, Moeen’s dual role will remain crucial in shaping KKR’s campaign.
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