IPL 2025: KKR rope in Madhya Pradesh's mystery spinner as Rovman Powell replacement

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 18, 2025, 14:52 IST

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Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed Shivam Shukla as Rovman Powell's replacement due to medical issues, alongside Moeen Ali's absence. Shukla, a mystery spinner, recently showcased his talent in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League. KKR's title defense ended after a washout against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, impacting the IPL 2025 points table.

IPL 2025: KKR rope in Madhya Pradesh's mystery spinner as Rovman Powell replacement

Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine and Rovman Powell (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending IPL champions, announced on Sunday that they have recruited Madhya Pradesh spinner Shivam Shukla to replace West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell for the remaining IPL 2025 matches.Powell and England's Moeen Ali have withdrawn from the tournament due to health concerns. "Rovman is undergoing a procedure," KKR officially stated, as IPL 2025 competition recommenced on Saturday after a temporary halt.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 29-year-old Shukla's domestic cricket experience is modest, with participation in a single Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign yielding eight wickets across eight matches, notably taking 4-29 against Bengal.

His recent outstanding performance in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League saw him emerge as the leading wicket-taker, securing 10 dismissals, including a five-wicket haul.

KKR's championship defence concluded prematurely when their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M Chinnaswamy Stadium was abandoned due to rain, as IPL 2025 resumed following a brief interruption caused by the border disputes on Saturday.The adjusted schedule has resulted in several international players becoming unavailable for the remaining fixtures due to national team commitments and individual circumstances, potentially affecting team selections during the qualification phase.

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The abandoned match significantly altered the IPL 2025 standings. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) claimed the top position with 17 points from 12 matches, surpassing Gujarat Titans (16 points from 11 matches) and Punjab Kings (15 from 11 matches), although both teams retain one match in hand.KKR's final league match is scheduled against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 25.

Get IPL 2025 match schedules, squads, points table, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.

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