Why Sunil Narine is not playing today's match vs RR: IPL 2025

At the beginning of their second match of the IPL 2025, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have brought bad news as the Caribbean all-rounder and franchise legend Sunil Narine is unavailable for the match against the hosts, Rajasthan Royals (RR), in Guwahati on Wednesday evening (March 26).  

Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is hosting the sixth match of the IPL 2025, RR vs KKR, on Wednesday evening. Defending champions KKR started the tournament with a seven-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, RR started the new season with a 44-run loss against SunRisers Hyderabad after conceding the second-highest total in IPL history. So, the sixth match of the IPL 2025 is a crucial fixture for both KKR and RR, as both are desperate to register their first win of the IPL 2025 as early as possible. 

IPL 2025: RR vs KKR - Unwell Sunil Narine missed 

At the toss in the RR vs KKR match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane chose to bowl first after winning it. However, at the toss, Rahane brought the tough news for the KKR as Sunil Narine would miss the game. Skipper claimed that the Caribbean star was unwell, while the details could be revealed later. 

Sunil Narine is the joint fourth leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 181 wickets in 178 matches, while he has recorded 199 T20 wickets for KKR. While he has also scored 1578 IPL runs with a strike rate of 165.93, including one century and seven half-centuries, he is among only five cricketers with 1500+ runs and 100+ wickets in their IPL career. While KKR won their third IPL title in the 2024 edition, Narine was their leading run-scorer in the season (488 runs) and joint fourth-most wicket-taker in the season (17 wickets). These stats are enough to prove his importance to KKR.

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IPL 2025: RR vs KKR - Moeen Ali replaced Sunil Narine

English all-rounder Moeen Ali has replaced Narine for the IPL 2025 Guwahati match against Rajasthan Royals. It is a debut match for Moeen Ali for KKR, who has played 67 IPL matches to score 1162 runs and take 35 wickets. In the IPL career, Ali has a batting average of 22.78 and a strike rate of 141.53, including six half-centuries with his best knock of 93 runs.