Why is Sunil Narine not playing in the RR vs KKR IPL 2025 match?

The first of battles in the season is completed as five matches have been played in IPL 2025. The points table is poised to come alive now that the league stage intensifies. The round of teams playing their second matches in the 18th edition starts with the RR vs KKR fixture, scheduled in Guwahati. Both teams would look to pick their first victory of the season as they collide at the Barsapara ground. The defending champions, KKR, opened IPL 2025 against RCB, where they lost the game by 7 wickets. RR, meanwhile, endured the ultimate bashing against SRH batters in Hyderabad. Now, the battle in Guwahati is poised to be between equals. However, KKR has arrived for the match without their ace pick, Sunil Narine.

KKR won the toss in Guwahati as Ajinkya Rahane opted to bowl first against Rajasthan Royals. However, a shocking announcement followed, where Rahane informed about the unavailability of their seasoned all-rounder, Sunil Narine. Naming English all-rounder Moeen Ali as his replacement, Rahane updated that Sunil Narine is "not well."

“Sunil Narine misses out, he’s not well. Moeen Ali comes in,” Rahane said after winning the toss and opting to bowl.

Sunil Narine is unwell today, so Moeen Ali has got an opportunity in his place.

A like-for-like replacement. pic.twitter.com/dBkwmZWdeb

— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) March 26, 2025

Sunil Narine is one of the most crucial aspects of KKR's gameplay as he opens the innings along with Quinton de Kock. The all-rounder smashed 44 off just 26 against RCB in the IPL 2025 opener despite losing his partner, de Kock, quite early in the powerplay. With the ball, the spinner scalped a wicket, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal. His spin remains central to the victory plans of KKR in the league. However, the team has played Moeen Ali in his place, as Narine was reported to be unwell. With CSK until IPL 2024, Moeen Ali was picked by the defending champions for his base price of 2 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. While KKR has opted to bowl first in the fixture, Ajinkya Rahane is poised to open along with Quinton de Kock in the absence of Sunil Narine.

Sunil Narine is rested.

Get well soon, 🐐. pic.twitter.com/jDM252uO3B

— KnightRidersXtra (@KKR_Xtra) March 26, 2025

The home team, meanwhile, also featured one change in their playing XI for the RR vs KKR IPL 2025 match. Seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi made way for spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in the team. In the opening match against SRH, none of the RR bowlers were spared from Hyderabad's batters' wrath. Farooqi leaked runs at an economy of 16.30 as he didn't even complete his spell of 4 overs in Hyderabad. Now, RR would hope to play to the strength of their spin as they brought in Wanindu Hasaranga, picked in the mega auction for 5.25 crore.