Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have suffered a significant blow ahead of the IPL 2025 restart, with seasoned England all-rounder Moeen Ali confirming he will not return for the remainder of the season. As per a report by ESPNcricinfo dated May 15, Moeen has opted out due to personal reasons and has communicated his unavailability to the franchise. The tournament is set to resume on May 17 with KKR taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Moeen, who was signed by KKR for ₹2 crore during last year’s mega auction, featured in six matches this season. While he picked up six wickets with his off-spin, he could only manage five runs from two innings with the bat. His absence leaves a gap in the Ajinkya Rahane-led side’s spin department and middle-order options.
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In another setback, West Indies batter and former T20I skipper Rovman Powell is also likely to miss the final league games. Powell is currently nursing an undisclosed injury and remains in consultation with KKR’s medical team. He was last reported to be in Dubai along with other West Indies players in the KKR squad.
🚨 Big Update from the KKR Camp! 🚨
Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell will NOT be returning to the Kolkata Knight Riders squad.#IPL2025 #KKR #MoeenAli #RovmanPowell #CricketNews #SixSports #KKRUpdates4o pic.twitter.com/Z4U4npkyRZ— Six Sports India (@SixSportsIndia) May 15, 2025
“Moeen Ali has opted out due to personal reasons, while the franchise awaits clarity on Powell’s fitness,” the report stated. KKR are now actively scouting for at least one short-term overseas replacement to bolster their squad.
On a positive note, overseas stars Quinton de Kock, Spencer Johnson, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have all reached Bengaluru and are set to join training ahead of the crucial clash against RCB on Saturday.
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Currently placed sixth on the points table with 11 points from 12 matches, KKR’s playoff hopes remain alive but hinge on other results. They must win their remaining games convincingly and hope that only one among the Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants reaches 15 points. If this scenario unfolds, KKR could sneak into the fourth playoff spot and contest the Eliminator on May 30.
