Playing his first IPL match for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Moeen Ali stepped up in place of Sunil Narine, who was unwell, and made a strong impact. He bowled impressively, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs, helping KKR secure an eight-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
After the match, Moeen shared his thoughts on filling in for Narine. “It felt good. I’ve been practicing well, and this morning, I was told that Sunil wasn’t feeling well. Replacing him was tough, but I think I did a decent job. These are the kinds of wickets you enjoy – trying to challenge the batters, spin the ball as much as possible,” he said.
Moeen Ali was full of praise for his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammates after their win, calling them a “really good bunch of guys.” He expressed his excitement about being part of the team and his determination to keep improving, even at 37.
“It’s been amazing so far. I’m still trying to get better. This team is very well-balanced, with incredible players like Narine, Russell, and Quinny, who are always guaranteed to play. So, breaking into the playing XI is tough. When you get a chance, you have to make the most of it,” Moeen said after the match.
Speaking about his experience facing Jofra Archer, Moeen admitted it was a challenging encounter. “I I haven’t faced such fast bowling since playing in the Ashes. Unfortunately, I was the one facing him, and he was just too quick for me. But it’s all about staying sharp, continuing to improve, and using my experience. My goal is to keep the stumps in play and be as accurate as possible, especially against left-handers,” he added.
Quinton de Kock played a crucial role in KKR’s victory, scoring an unbeaten 97 and helping his team successfully chase down the target. After the match, he admitted that batting second worked in their favor, especially with the presence of some dew.
“It was great to get my chance, and I wanted to make it count. Honestly, I haven’t faced any challenges yet, even though I haven’t played international cricket for South Africa recently. I had three months off, which was nice, and prepared for about 10 days before the season started,” said de Kock.
Having played only his second match at the venue, he focused on adapting to the conditions. “Luckily, we batted second, so I got a chance to see how the pitch was playing. I just played according to the situation. The IPL is famous for big sixes and high scores, but today wasn’t the time for that. I just focused on winning the game my way.”
He also mentioned that there was no discussion about accelerating the chase to improve their net run rate. “The pitch wasn’t suited for that. The ball was turning and stopping, making it a tricky surface to bat on. If we get a better wicket in another match, we might think about net run rate, but today was all about securing the win.”
De Kock wrapped up by expressing his happiness with how KKR has welcomed him. “I love meeting new people and experiencing different environments. Sometimes, it takes time to feel at home in a new team, but with KKR, I felt accepted right away. It’s a great feeling.”
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