KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025: Match Preview, Head to Head & Playing11

By Chirag - Apr 15, 2025 10:24 AM
Last updated on Apr 15, 2025 10:25 AM

The 31st match of the Indian Premier League 2025 promises to be a thrilling encounter as Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium in Mullanpur on 15th April, starting at 7:30 PM, with the toss scheduled for 7:00 PM.

This is the first face-off between PBKS and KKR this season, and both teams will be eager to gain the upper hand as the tournament heats up.

Current Form & Standings

• Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions, have had a mixed season so far. Out of 6 matches, they’ve won 3 and lost 3.
• Punjab Kings have played 5 matches, winning 3 and losing 2 – a slightly better win ratio and some good momentum to ride on.

Head-to-Head Record

Kolkata enjoys a historical edge over Punjab, winning 21 out of 33 matches between the two sides. However, Punjab has found a way to challenge them in recent years, having won 3 of the last 5 matches. This contest is expected to be evenly matched, with both sides boasting explosive talent.

Key Players to Watch

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain): Surprisingly leading PBKS this season, Iyer has been phenomenal with the bat, amassing 250 runs in 5 matches, including a blistering 97 off 42 balls* against Gujarat Titans.
• Arshdeep Singh: Leading the bowling attack with 7 wickets in 5 matches, his death-over execution could be crucial on a batting-friendly pitch.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

• Ajinkya Rahane (Captain): The experienced skipper has reinvented himself this season, scoring 204 runs in 6 matches, including a fluent 56 off 31 against RCB.
• Varun Chakravarthy: With 8 wickets in 6 games, Varun remains KKR’s go-to man in the middle overs, especially on dry surfaces where he can extract turn.

Pitch & Weather Report

Pitch:

The track at Mullanpur has been a batsman’s paradise so far, with high-scoring games becoming a common theme.

In 7 matches here:

• 4 wins for teams batting first
• 3 wins for teams chasing

The highest score at the venue is 219/6, scored by PBKS against CSK in their previous outing – proof of their comfort on this surface.

Weather:

Expect a hot and sunny evening with temperatures ranging between 24°C and 38°C. Wind speed will hover around 13 km/h, and no rain is expected, ensuring a full game of cricket.

Probable Playing XIs

Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact Sub: Vyshak Vijaykumar

Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Impact Sub: Vaibhav Arora

Match Outlook

With both teams showcasing strong batting lineups and playing on a pitch that favors stroke-making, fans can expect fireworks in Mullanpur. While KKR will look to reassert their dominance, PBKS will aim to ride on their captain’s red-hot form and the familiarity with the venue to clinch a crucial win.

Also Read: Dream11 team & Match Ai prediction : LSG vs CSK IPL 2025

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