The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have built a reputation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for being a stable and consistent team. Their successful IPL 2024 campaign proved that a well-set team can work wonders with minimal changes to the playing XI. Even seasoned players like Nitish Rana were left out to maintain the winning combination.
However, as the team gears up for IPL 2025, not all the players from last season could be retained. Star names like Phil Salt, Mitchell Starc, and Shreyas Iyer have moved to other franchises. Still, KKR has a well-balanced squad with a solid playing XII that might not require too much experimentation.
Here is the squad for IPL 2025:
Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Luvnith Sisodia, Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mayank Markande, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Umran Malik.
3 KKR Players Likely to Warm the Bench in IPL 2025
1. Rovman Powell
Rovman Powell, the hard-hitting West Indian, was brought in as a backup for Andre Russell. While Powell’s explosive batting can be a game-changer, his limited contributions with the ball make it challenging to fit him into the playing XI.
KKR’s overseas slots are mostly locked with star performers like Russell, Sunil Narine, Anrich Nortje, and Quinton de Kock. Unless there’s an injury to Russell, Powell might not get the opportunity to showcase his skills.
2. Anukul Roy
Anukul Roy has been a part of KKR’s squad for the past two seasons but hasn’t cemented his place in the team. The left-arm spinner is often seen as a backup option or an impact player.
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However, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine forming one of the strongest spin-bowling partnerships in the IPL, Anukul’s chances seem slim. Even in cases where KKR opts for an additional spinner, Mayank Markande might be preferred over him due to his wicket-taking abilities.
3. Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali was a late addition to KKR’s squad in the IPL 2025 auction. Despite his experience, the English all-rounder may struggle to find a place in the playing XI.
KKR’s middle-order already has dependable Indian batters, and the overseas slots are highly competitive. With Narine and Russell being indispensable and players like Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje in the mix, it’s tough to see Moeen breaking into the lineup. Moreover, Moeen’s recent form hasn’t been impressive, which further diminishes his chances.
Final Thoughts
KKR has a strong and stable core team heading into IPL 2025. While the bench boasts talented players, some of them might have to wait for their opportunities. The team’s success might again hinge on sticking with a consistent playing combination, just like in their IPL 2024 triumph.
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