IPL 2025: Moeen Ali praises De Kock's masterclass against Archer

Synopsis

In a remarkable performance at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) secured a convincing win over Rajasthan Royals. Moeen Ali, making his debut for KKR, highlighted the team spirit and praised Quinton de Kock's exceptional innings, which made Jofra Archer's bowling look slow. Ali's contributions were also crucial for the team's success.

Key Takeaways

Moeen Ali impressed on his KKR debut.
Quinton de Kock's unbeaten 97 was pivotal.
KKR chased down 151 with eight wickets remaining.
The pitch offered varied conditions, aiding KKR's strengths.
Ali acknowledged the team's welcoming atmosphere.

Guwahati, March 27 (NationPress) In a commanding performance at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday evening, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) triumphed, successfully chasing down the Rajasthan Royals' score of 151 with eight wickets remaining and a comfortable margin of 15 balls. For Moeen Ali, who made his debut for KKR, the victory highlighted the team's camaraderie and unity.

Ali expressed his admiration for de Kock, whose innings effectively secured the match. He described it as 'an extraordinary innings' and pointed out how the South African wicketkeeper made batting appear effortless. 'Quinton is a seasoned player who has been in the game for a long time. It was an extraordinary innings, and he made the Rajasthan Royals bowlers, particularly Jofra Archer, seem like they were bowling rather slowly.'

'I enjoy meeting new people and adapting to new settings,' De Kock commented after his remarkable unbeaten score of 97—the highest individual score for KKR in a run-chase. 'It’s about finding your place within the team. Sometimes a team takes time to accept you, but here at KKR, they have embraced me wholeheartedly, which feels great.'

Ali shared similar thoughts, calling the performance an 'all-around fantastic effort, a superb team victory' during the post-match press conference. His own contribution was vital, taking two wickets while demonstrating impressive control. 'My role was to bowl as tightly as possible,' he elaborated. 'I’m accustomed to bowling alongside someone who is more skillful and enigmatic,' he said while commending the abilities of Varun Chakaravarthy.

For Ali, this win was particularly gratifying after their previous defeat. 'It’s just nice to secure a win early in your first few games so you don’t start overthinking,' he remarked. The pitch, which catered to various playing styles, played into KKR's favor, with Ali noting it had 'some swing, a bit of seam, and just the right amount of spin.'

Reflecting on joining a championship-winning team, Ali was assertive in his statements. 'When you join teams that have claimed the trophy, they understand what they are doing. They’ve won it three times. Everything remains composed.'

The team will soon depart for Mumbai for their third match of IPL 2025, against the Mumbai Indians on March 31.