Sunil Narine Returns to Bolster Kolkata Knight Riders’ Squad
March 30, 2025, 14:56 IST – In a welcome development for the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), star all-rounder Sunil Narine is poised to return to the playing XI for their upcoming match against the Mumbai Indians (MI). This return comes after Narine’s absence from their previous encounter against the Rajasthan Royals, which KKR won convincingly by eight wickets.
Narine's Absence and Moeen Ali's Stand-in
According to reports, Narine reported unwell on the morning of the match against Rajasthan. This necessitated a change in the team lineup, with Moeen Ali stepping in as a replacement.
Moeen Ali, reflecting on his performance, stated: “I’ve been practising well and I just try to be ready all the time. I was told this morning that Sunny [Narine] was not well and to just be ready whenever. Obviously, hard to replace Sunny, but I felt like I did a nice job of it.”
He also elaborated on his approach, adding, “You’re just waiting for your chance and when it comes, you try and take it as much as you can. But on some wickets like today, I probably used my experience as much as I could to actually keep it simple, keep the stumps in play, keep the line to the left-handers in particular quite straight and just try and spin the ball.”
Narine's Condition and Recovery
Reports indicate that Narine received medical attention but later returned to the team hotel and participated in the celebrations.
Performance Overview
- Moeen Ali's Bowling: Successfully dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana, returning figures of 2/23 from four overs.
- Moeen Ali's Batting: Struggled with the bat, scoring just five runs in 12 deliveries.
- Sunil Narine's Previous Performance: Was a key performer for KKR in their opening night defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Looking Ahead: Kolkata vs Mumbai
KKR will draw confidence from their 24-run victory over Mumbai in 2024 – a significant win at the Wankhede Stadium, marking their first triumph at the venue in 12 years. This victory served as a reminder that Wankhede is no longer the impenetrable fortress it once was for the five-time champions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why was Sunil Narine absent from the previous match?
Sunil Narine reported unwell on the morning of the match against Rajasthan Royals and required medical attention.
2. Who replaced Sunil Narine in the previous match?
Moeen Ali replaced Sunil Narine in the previous match.
3. When and where will KKR play against MI?
KKR will face MI on Monday evening at the Wankhede Stadium.
4. What is significant about KKR's previous victory over MI?
It marked KKR's first win at the Wankhede Stadium in 12 years.