IPL 2025: KKR's Tactical Shift as Moeen Ali Joins the Squad Against CSK
Match Preview: KKR vs CSK
Chennai: In a strategic move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl first against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by MS Dhoni, during Match 25 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.
Both teams are currently positioned ninth and sixth in the points table, respectively, and are looking to bounce back after recent losses to Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Rahane announced that Moeen Ali would replace Spencer Johnson in the lineup.
The decision to include Moeen is a tactical one, aimed at countering CSK's left-handed batsmen, including Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja. Rahane expressed optimism, stating, "We had several positives from our last match. Our team performed well, and we aim to improve with each game. The pitch looks good and should remain consistent throughout the match. We have depth in our batting, which is why we chose to bowl first and chase down the target."
CSK will be under the leadership of veteran MS Dhoni, stepping in for Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is sidelined due to a hairline fracture in his right elbow. Dhoni, now the oldest captain in IPL history, confirmed that Rahul Tripathi would take Gaikwad's place, while Anshul Kamboj would replace Mukesh Choudhary.
"We were hoping to bat first. We've often tried to chase, but we've noticed that the pitch tends to slow down, putting pressure on the middle order if we don't start strong. Gaikwad is a reliable batter, and his absence will be felt," Dhoni remarked.
"Every match is crucial now; we've lost too many already. It's essential to focus on the basics—maintaining dot balls and taking catches. A few games slipped away due to small mistakes, like conceding 20 runs in a single over. Our batters are skilled and need to trust their instincts. A strong start with early boundaries and taking a couple of early wickets will be vital," he added.
The match will take place on a black-soil pitch where CSK previously triumphed over Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2025 opener. The square boundaries measure 68 and 65 meters, while the straight boundary is 80 meters away.
Playing XIs:
Chennai Super Kings: Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, and Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Substitutes: Matheesha Pathirana, Jamie Overton, Deepak Hooda, Shaik Rasheed, and Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Kolkata Knight Riders: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Substitutes: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia, and Anukul Roy