KKR out of IPL 2025 playoffs, but this player from Madhya Pradesh's luck shines

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have replaced West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell with Madhya Pradesh mystery spinner Shivam Shukla for the remaining matches of IPL 2025. This was announced by the franchise on Sunday. The move comes after it was confirmed that Powell, along with England's Moeen Ali, would not return for the remainder of the season due to medical problems. "Rovman is undergoing a procedure," KKR said in a statement as the IPL 2025 season resumed on Saturday after a brief suspension.

Shivam Shukla, aged 29, does not have a lot of experience at a domestic level, as his only Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season saw him pick up eight wickets from as many games, among them a 4-29 against Bengal. He was in the spotlight in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League, where he was top wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 10 wickets, including a five-wicket haul.

KKR's title defense run was cut short by rain in a match played against Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium as India-Pakistan border tensions forced a temporary halt to the IPL 2025 season on Saturday.

The new schedule, though, has a price, with a number of international stars missing for the rest of the season because of international obligations and personal reasons, which might impact team combinations in the playoffs.