In IPL 2025 Match 39 between Bengaluru-based side Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Quinton de Kock was surprisingly absent in KKR's playing eleven. The team chose to omit de Kock and Anrich Nortje and include Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Moeen Ali.

Non-availability of de Kock is a glaringly evident strategic decision of the KKR management. While he has played a match-winning 97 not out against Rajasthan Royals in the last season, his overall performance in other games has been streaky with scores of 4, 1, 1, 15, 23, and 2. This inconsistency would have most likely made the team seek alternatives at the top of the batting order.

Hard-hitting batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz was included to give a new perspective to KKR's opening pair. Moeen Ali's addition provides depth to the batting and bowling units, and there is also flexibility in strategy.

A look at Quinton De Kock’s performance throughout IPL 2025

As of April 21, 2025, Quinton de Kock has appeared in four matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025 competition. In these matches, he has scored 143 runs, 35.75 runs per match and 152.2 runs per strike. His highest score was an unbeaten 97 against the Rajasthan Royals, his season-high score and a deciding factor in KKR's eight-wicket win.

Apart from his batting, de Kock has been keeping himself busy behind the wickets, taking a couple of catches and continuing to consolidate himself as a solid wicketkeeper. His recent exclusion from the playing XI in Match 39 against Gujarat Titans, though, indicates tactical rotation or rest, as there has been no mention of any injury reports. Overall, de Kock's performance in IPL 2025 has been a mix of brilliance and strategic management, reflecting both his experience and the team's tactical decisions.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: a look at his IPL 2025 impact and performances from previous seasons

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the dynamic Afghan wicketkeeper-batter, has been a notable presence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since his debut in 2023. Known for his aggressive batting style and swift wicketkeeping skills, Gurbaz has made significant contributions to his team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

IPL 2025 performance

In the current season of IPL 2025, Gurbaz has remained a force to be reckoned with as an opening batsman for KKR. Although match-by-match records of the season concerned are not being discussed here, his availability in the playing XI and consistent contributions have remained paramount to the side's schemes. His ability to provide explosive opening has remained essential to achieving competitive scores and pursuing difficult targets.

Earlier IPL Seasons

Gurbaz's IPL career began in 2023 when he was traded from Gujarat Titans to KKR. In 13 games in his first season, he made 289 runs at a strike rate of 22.23, with two half-centuries. He made a personal best of 81 runs against Gujarat Titans, which indicates that he can also perform against good teams as well. In the 2024 season too, Gurbaz was an integral part of KKR's team, contributing runs with the bat and behind the wickets. Not only did his performances give depth to KKR's batting, but solidity to the wicketkeeping as well.

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