Guwahati: The batting performance fell short, and the run-out is a moment he would prefer to forget. However, Moeen Ali has contributed to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) discovering another effective strategy for victory through spin bowling. With Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy leading the attack from both ends, KKR demonstrated their ability to confuse and contain the opposition even in the absence of one of them.

“I am accustomed to bowling alongside someone who possesses greater skill and mystery than I do. My role is to bowl as tightly as possible, hoping that the pressure from the other end will lead to wickets for that bowler,” Ali remarked after achieving figures of 2/23 in four overs, helping KKR secure an eight-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.

Ali effectively contained the opposition, conceding only one boundary when Dhruv Jurel struck a flatter delivery through the leg-side in the final over of his spell. “Thinking like a batter certainly helps,” he noted.

In this match, the former England all-rounder complemented Chakravarthy well, with both bowlers claiming two wickets each. Chakravarthy was particularly economical, allowing just 17 runs in his four overs, six runs fewer than Ali. Rajasthan Royals found it as challenging to face them as navigating the stadium's access routes due to detours and a lack of adequate public transport.

“Varun is bowling exceptionally well, and we recognize how much he has improved over the past few years. It was fantastic to bowl alongside someone of his caliber,” Ali stated during the post-match press conference.

Sairaj Bahutule, the spin bowling coach for the home team, noted that KKR’s spinners maintained more consistent lengths compared to RR’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theksana. “There was certainly a lot of assistance for the spinners, but at times, I felt they bowled a bit short,” he commented.

Bahutule remarked, “I believe Ali and Chakravarthy bowled with greater precision in their lines and lengths, demonstrating remarkable persistence in those areas,” as he elaborated on the significant impact of KKR’s slow bowlers.

He noted that the occasional short delivery could be the deciding factor between a successful over and one where RR conceded “four extra runs.” Ali added another point, stating that teams with multiple IPL titles possess a clear understanding of their approach. “In contrast, teams that have yet to secure a title are still figuring out their strategy.” He drew a parallel with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he has won two titles, referring to it as a champions' mentality.

Following a heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden on Saturday, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed that there was no cause for alarm. He emphasized his commitment to supporting his players and mentioned that had Narine been fit, KKR would have retained the same eleven for Wednesday's match.

Replacing Narine posed a significant challenge, especially since Ali mentioned he was informed he would not play until Wednesday morning. “Sunil is a considerable loss for us, but I wasn’t overly anxious because I have experience and have debuted for other teams.” In addition to CSK and KKR, Ali, who was acquired by KKR for his base price of ₹2 crore, has also played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

At 37, having retired from international cricket, Ali stated that he continues to play regularly “to maintain his performance level.” This was evident not only in his bowling but also in his fielding within the ring. The victory stemmed from KKR bowlers “consistently keeping the opposition in check, which made our batting somewhat easier. Quinny’s performance was simply outstanding.”

Quinton de Kock, who fell short of his third IPL century by just three runs, also utilized his experience effectively, according to Ali. “Against Jofra (Archer), I struggled to make contact, and he made it seem as though he was bowling at a slower pace. He is among the best in the world and has maintained that status for quite some time.”

Similar to Ali, De Kock has also stepped away from international cricket. Alongside Ravichandran.

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