IPL 2025: Why Sunil Narine is not included in KKR's playing XI against Rajasthan Royals

Sunil Narine scored 44 runs in KKR’s IPL 2025 season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The sixth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is currently underway at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Both teams are coming into this match on the back of a defeat in their opening game. KKR were hammered by seven wickets by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens, while RR lost their opening contest to Sunrisers Hyderabad after conceding 286 runs in the game in Hyderabad.

Coming to the match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bowl first, citing that the dew might play a role later. However, fans were surprised when Rahane confirmed that Sunil Narine has not been included in the playing XI.

IPL 2025: Why Sunil Narine is not included in KKR’s playing XI against Rajasthan Royals

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed at the toss that Sunil Narine has not been picked in the playing XI due to illness and has been replaced by England all-rounder Moeen Ali.

Rahane said, “Sunil Narine misses out, he’s not well. Moeen Ali comes in.“

Notably, this is the first time Narine is missing an IPL game since his last absence against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 18, 2021. The Caribbean all-rounder was on a 58-match consecutive playing streak.

Moeen Ali is a like-for-like replacement for Narine. A top-order batsman who can bowl crucial off-spin during the middle overs, Ali has scored 1,229 runs and taken 51 wickets in 92 T20 matches.

RR vs KKR: Playing XI of both teams

RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma

KKR: Quinton de Kock (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

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