Why Sunil Narine Was Sidelined for the KKR vs RR Match
Veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali stepped into the Kolkata Knight Riders’ lineup as the team faced Rajasthan Royals in the sixth match of the Indian Premier League 2025. The game, held at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, saw both teams eager to bounce back from initial losses. Moeen Ali, replacing the unwell Sunil Narine, joined the team as they opted to bowl first.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane’s Strategy and Outlook
Following a toss win, captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed optimism about the pitch conditions and the strategic advantage of bowling first due to dew factors. Rahane emphasized the importance of resilience and intent in the fast-paced T20 format. “This format is all about being fearless and playing with intent,” he commented, highlighting his team’s readiness to tackle the challenge head-on.
Rajasthan Royals’ Response and Team Changes
Royal’s captain Riyan Parag received a warm reception from the home crowd, feeling both proud and humbled. RR also introduced a strategic change, bringing in leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in place of Fazalhaq Farooqi. Parag praised his middle-order batsmen and the team’s bowling performance, marking a positive shift in their approach and tactics.
Team Line-ups and Impact Substitutes
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Impact Substitutes for KKR: Anrich Nortje, Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, and Luvnith Sisodia.
Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (captain), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, and Sandeep Sharma.
Impact Substitutes for RR: Kunal Singh Rathore, Shubham Dubey, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, and Kwena Maphaka.
