IPL: Moeen Ali highlights his job as KKR beat RR
What's the story
Moeen Ali made a mark on his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) debut, coming to the fore with Sunil Narine missing out due to illness. The England international was brilliant with the ball, returning with figures of 2/23. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Moeen said his job was to bowl as tightly as possible before Varun Chakravarthy took over and maybe picked up wickets. Here's more.
Words
Moeen's job was to bowl as tight as he could
"I came on before him [Varun], so my job was to try to bowl tight as I can. And then maybe he can build a bit of pressure as well or get the wicket," Moeen said. "I'm used to bowling with somebody who is better than me and has more mystery than me, so my job there is to bowl as tight as I can and hopefully that builds pressure for that person to then get wickets."
Strategy
Moeen's strategy: Thinking like a batter
Moeen's spell included the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Rana. The latter's wicket was especially brilliant, a classic offspinner's dismissal. Moeen credited his success to his batting experience, saying he didn't have the skills of other bowlers but tried to contain runs as much as possible. "I think my skill is that I think like a batter," he said, adding this approach often worked in his favor.
Debut
Moeen's unexpected KKR debut and performance
Moeen only learned about his KKR debut on match day. He said, "I've been practicing well and I just try to be ready all the time." Though he admitted it was hard to replace Narine, he thought he did a good job. He used his experience to keep things simple, maintain pressure on stumps, especially targeting left-handers with straight line bowling and trying to spin the ball effectively.
Pitch
Moeen appreciates spin-friendly pitch, seeks improvement
Moeen appreciated the spin-friendly pitch, unlike high-scoring matches earlier in the season. He said such games were beneficial in the midst of high-scoring ones. Although not a regular pick, he wasn't disheartened as good teams are hard to break into. "It's just learning and trying to get better even at 37 years old," he said, wishing to get better at cricket.
Performance
Moeen fares well in middle overs
Moeen came in as KKR's fourth-change bowler in the first innings. He dented the RR batters with his precise line and length. The former England spinner first dismissed Jaiswal, RR's third batter to depart. Rana was Moeen's second and final victim. With this, RR were reduced to 82/5. As mentioned, Moeen conceded just 23 runs in four overs.
Information
Moeen and Varun choke RR
Apart from Moeen's 2/23, fellow spinner Varun claimed 2/17 from his 4 overs. Together, the two KKR spinners conceded only 40 runs from 8 overs and picking 4 scalps in the process.
KKR
KKR tame RR to win the contest
KKR beat RR in match number 6 of the IPL 2025 season at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. The Knight Riders successfully chased down 152 to win their first match of the season. Quinton de Kock led the charge with a solid knock of 97*. A concerted bowling effort, especially from Chakravarthy and Moeen, restricted the Royals to 151/9 in 20 overs. RR lost their second successive game this season.