IPL 2025 KKR vs PBKS Match: Kolkata will try to save their playoff hopes

IPL 2025 KKR vs PBKS Match Preview: Kolkata will try to save their playoff hopes, there will be a tough competition from Punjab

Match Overview

• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Date: April 26, 2025
• Importance: KKR needed a win to stay in contention, while PBKS aimed to solidify their top-four position.

Pitch Characteristics

• Batting-friendly with good bounce.
• Seamers may get movement early on.
• Spinners could play a role in the middle overs.
• Dew factor might influence the second innings, favoring chasing teams.

Weather Forecast

• Temperature: Expected to range between 36°C and 29°C.
• Humidity: Around 69%, making conditions sticky for players.
• Wind Speed: Approximately 21 kph, which may help seamers early on.
• Rain Chances: None, so the match should proceed without weather delays

Average first-innings score this season is around 202 runs, indicating high-scoring potentia

The latest match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) took place on April 26, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The game was crucial for both teams, with KKR struggling to keep their playoff hopes alive while PBKS aimed to solidify their position in the top four.

PBKS had previously defeated KKR in their last encounter by 16 runs, defending a total of 111 runs, which was the lowest-ever successful defense in IPL history. KKR, on the other hand, had a tough season, winning only three out of eight matches, while PBKS had won five out of eight

IPL 2025 KKR vs PBKS Match Preview: In the 44th match of IPL 2025, there is going to be a fierce clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). This match will be played at the historic Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata.

Talking about the points table, Punjab Kings remain in fifth place with 10 points, while KKR is at seventh place with just three wins in 8 matches so far.

Kolkata team has lost two matches in a row and another defeat can make their path to the playoffs very difficult. On the other hand, Punjab Kings are also coming after losing their last match, but their position is slightly better. Both the teams would like to get their campaign back on track by winning this match.

Head-to-head record

Out of the 34 matches played between the two teams so far, KKR has won 21, while Punjab Kings have been successful 13 times.  Especially at Eden Gardens, KKR has won 9 out of 13 matches. However, in recent matches, Punjab Kings have also given tough competition to KKR. In the first match of this season, Punjab defeated KKR by 16 runs, where Yuzvendra Chahal bowled brilliantly and took 4 wickets.

These players will be in focus

KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer’s form has been disappointing this season. He has been out on single digit scores thrice in 6 innings. Especially his scoring 14 runs off 19 balls against Gujarat Titans shows his struggling state. In this match, Venkatesh will face Punjab fast bowler Marco Jansen, who has dismissed him thrice in four innings so far.

Shreyas Iyer started the season well, but his bat has been silent in recent matches. At the same time, Andre Russell has had an average performance with both bat and ball.  Interestingly, Russell has sent Shreyas to the pavilion 5 times in 9 matches.

Punjab Kings’ Yuzvendra Chahal has made a tremendous comeback after a slow start. In the last three matches, he has taken 7 wickets, including 4 wickets against KKR. The flight, bounce and variety in his bowling has troubled the opposing batsmen.

Strengths and weaknesses of both the teams

KKR’s batting has not lived up to expectations this season. Veterans like Sunil Narine have completely failed. Barring Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the performance of the rest of the batsmen has been lackluster. In bowling, Harshit Rana (11 wickets), Varun Chakraborty (10 wickets) and Vaibhav Arora (9 wickets) have made good contributions and in this match they will once again be expected to shoulder a big responsibility.

On the other hand, Punjab Kings batsmen Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have shown excellent performance in the powerplay. Their run rate is 10.67, which is the best this season.  However, in bowling, they have been able to take only 10 wickets during the powerplay, which is a matter of concern. Weakness has also been seen in the middle order of both the teams, KKR’s average has been 20.47 and Punjab’s 23.90.

The Eden Gardens pitch is considered helpful for the batsmen, but in the recent match, the spinners also got a lot of turn here. Despite the presence of dew, the team winning the toss can consider batting first.

Here are the probable playing XIs for the KKR vs PBKS match on April 26, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata:

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
2. Sunil Narine
3. Ajinkya Rahane (C)
4. Venkatesh Iyer
5. Rinku Singh
6. Andre Russell
7. Ramandeep Singh
8. Moeen Ali
9. Harshit Rana
10. Vaibhav Arora
11. Varun Chakaravarthy

• Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Punjab Kings (PBKS)

1. Priyansh Arya
2. Prabhsimran Singh
3. Shreyas Iyer (C)
4. Josh Inglis (WK)
5. Nehal Wadhera
6. Shashank Singh
7. Marcus Stoinis
8. Marco Jansen
9. Xavier Bartlett
10. Harpreet Brar
11. Arshdeep Singh

• Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal