Here is why Moeen Ali Isn’t Playing Today’s IPL 2025 Match 12 Against MI

By Swapneel Deshpande 31 Mar 2025, 14:21 IST

Why Moeen Ali Isn’t Playing Today's IPL Match 12 Against MI

Mumbai Indians are back at Wankhede Stadium for their first home game of IPL 2025, urgently seeking a win after two defeats. Hardik Pandya’s side has underperformed both with bat and ball, leaving them at the bottom of the table. In Bumrah’s absence, their new-ball duo of Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar hasn’t been effective, and the top order, including Rohit Sharma, has failed to click. Facing Kolkata Knight Riders, MI hope the familiar home conditions will turn their fortunes around. They may even introduce Reece Topley to bolster their pace attack on a surface known for its bounce.

KKR, meanwhile, enter the match with confidence after two strong outings. With Sunil Narine making his return after illness, their bowling unit appears more robust. KKR’s lineup, supported by multiple contributors in both batting and bowling, looks more settled overall. Although MI hold a favorable head-to-head record at Wankhede, KKR have won five of the last six matches at this venue, setting the stage for what promises to be a high-scoring contest.

Mumbai won the toss and elected to bowl first. Kolkata Knight Riders have dropped Moeen Ali from their playing XI and included Sunil Narine instead. KKR’s coach and captain Ajinkya Rahane explained, “Sunil comes in in place of Mooen.”

Meanwhile, KKR looks to strengthen its lineup against Mumbai Indians. With their home advantage at stake, the franchise seeks to maximize its strengths. As MI struggle with their batting and fielding, KKR hopes that Narine’s inclusion will provide a spark. KKR’s aggressive spin attack is now set to face MI’s pace unit. Fans await to see if this decision will pay off.

Why is Moeen Ali not playing today?

When Sunil Narine was sidelined by injury, Kolkata Knight Riders quickly turned to Moeen Ali to plug the gap in their spin attack. In the previous fixtures of IPL 2025, Moeen’s inclusion became a tactical necessity for KKR. The experienced all-rounder was brought in to replace Narine, whose unavailability had left a noticeable void in the bowling lineup.

Moeen Ali provided stability and fresh options during those matches. He not only bowled economically in the powerplay but also contributed with the bat when needed. His ability to pick up crucial wickets helped KKR manage tight situations, particularly in matches where the opposition exploited the early overs. Although Moeen’s performances were solid, his style did not entirely mirror Narine’s impact. With Narine now fully recovered and set to return, KKR looks to reclaim the dynamic spin option that has been a hallmark of their success in previous seasons.

Sunil Narine fit and ready to go

Sunil Narine has bounced back from his recent injury setback and is now set to return to action for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. After a brief period away from the field due to an undisclosed ailment, Narine resumed intense training at the Wankhede Stadium and impressed coaches with his rapid recovery.

In recent practice sessions, Narine displayed his trademark accuracy and pace in the nets. His bowling and fielding have returned to full strength, and he has shown excellent fitness levels. KKR’s head coach confirmed that Narine’s rehabilitation has been smooth and that he is now 100% fit. “He has worked hard and is back in top form. We are excited to have him back in our lineup,” the coach said.

Narine’s comeback is crucial for KKR, as his all-round abilities have been key in past seasons. With his return, the team expects to bolster both their bowling attack and batting depth in upcoming matches. Fans and teammates alike are eager to see the veteran spinner make an impact once again on the big stage.