IPL 2025: Why is Moeen Ali not playing in KKR vs PBKS Match 44?

Moeen Ali will not be featuring in the clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 26. KKR have won just three matches so far in the IPL 2025 whereas PBKS have won five and currently standing at the fifth position in the points table.

Toss Update

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first. He emphasized the need for his team to play to their best ability and believe in themselves and urging the bowlers to take wickets to shift the momentum. Meanwhile, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane stated that they are prepared to chase whatever target is set and stressed the importance of playing bravely in this format.

Rovman Powell comes in for Moeen Ali; Glenn Maxwell in for Marcus Stoinis

PBKS brought back right-handed all-rounder Glenn Maxwell into the playing XI, replacing Marcus Stoinis after Maxwell was dropped in earlier matches. They also included Azmatullah Omarzai in place of Xavier Bartlett.

For KKR, Moeen Ali made way for West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell to add more firepower to the backend of the innings. Chetan Sakariya also came into the side by replacing Ramandeep Singh.

What did the captains say?

Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings

We are batting first. Since we are playing on the same wicket they played on. Can see a few cracks, will get an idea on how its playing. It's always been great to play in front of this crowd. Another day to come here and embrace. We have been getting brilliant starts. We are talking about a few situations, need to play to our best ability and believe in ourselves. I want the bowlers to take wickets, it changes the momentum. The more wickets we take in the powerplay, gives a chance to the other bowlers. Maxwell and Omarzai come in.

Ajinkya Rahane, Kolkata Knight Riders

It's all about playing good cricket, need to chase down whatever the target is. Our bowlers have been bowling really well. They have improved a lot. The boys have disappointed with the bat, but need to be brave in this format. Our batting unit needs to do well in this game. We have been playing good cricket in patches. It's all about living in the moment and need to be positive. Powell comes in Moeen and Sakariya comes in for Ramandeep.

Playing XIs

Punjab Kings

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Josh Inglis(w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Subs: Harpreet Brar, Musheer Khan, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey

Kolkata Knight Riders

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Vaibhav Arora, Chetan Sakariya, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy

Impact Subs: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anrich Nortje, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy