IPL 2025: Rovman Powell ruled out, KKR sign mystery spinner Shivam Shukla as replacement

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have Madhya Pradesh mystery spinner Shivam Shukla as Rovman Powell has been ruled out due to medical reasons remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Powell, along with England’s Moeen Ali, were among the overseas players who did not return to India following the 10-day suspension of IPL 2025. 

According to the franchise’s statement, the West Indian all-rounder undergoing a procedure, was nursing an injury, which led him to not return for the remaining season. However, the side won’t be much affected as their hopes of defending their IPL title came to an end after their game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru was washed out on Saturday, officially ending whatever the little hopes they had for play-offs qualification. The washout meant both teams shared a point each, mathematically eliminating KKR, who now sit sixth on the table with 12 points from 13 matches.

With just one match left to play, the defending champions have opted to include 29-year-old Shukla in the squad, giving the spinner a chance to display his talent. Shivam is coming off a brilliant domestic cricket season. He featured in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and picked eight wickets in as many games at an economy rate of just 6.30 with the best of 4/29 against Bengal.

He also ended as the highest wicket-taker in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League with 10 scalps, including a five-wicket haul, which has earned him this IPL opportunity.

Unfortunately for the Knight Riders, their campaign has been far from ideal. Despite having Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side struggled to find momentum throughout the tournament. Their campaign was dented further with the absence of important figures who were crucial to their title-winning run in 2024.

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