The 31st match of the Indian Premier League 2025 will see Punjab Kings (PBKS) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 PM IST.
Both teams are tied at six points, with KKR slightly ahead due to a better net run rate. This match is crucial for both sides as they aim to strengthen their positions in the points table.
Match Overview
- Fixture: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
- Date: April 15, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network
Team Updates
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, are looking to bounce back after a high-scoring defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where they failed to defend 245 runs. Iyer, a former KKR captain, has been in excellent form, scoring 250 runs in five matches at an average of 83 and a strike rate of 208.
Key Players:
- Shreyas Iyer (C): Leading from the front with consistent performances.
- Prabhsimran Singh: Aggressive opener with a strike rate of 160.
- Arshdeep Singh: PBKS’s leading wicket-taker with seven wickets.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
KKR under Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership is coming off a dominant win against Chennai Super Kings, where they chased down 104 runs in just 10.1 overs. Sunil Narine has been a standout performer, contributing with both bat and ball.
Key Players:
- Ajinkya Rahane (C): Providing stability at the top of the order.
- Sunil Narine: All-rounder in top form, pivotal with both bat and ball.
- Vaibhav Arora: Economical bowler, key in the powerplay overs.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is known for being batting-friendly, with an average first innings score of 173.
Teams batting first have won 9 out of 14 matches when scoring 170 or more. The surface tends to slow down as the match progresses, making batting first advantageous.
Match Insights
- Head-to-Head: KKR leads with 21 wins to PBKS’s 12 in their 33 encounters.
- Form: KKR is on a high after a convincing win, while PBKS is looking to recover from a recent loss.
- Key Battle: Shreyas Iyer vs Sunil Narine – a contest between PBKS’s in-form captain and KKR’s star all-rounder.
Fantasy Tips
- Captaincy Options: Sunil Narine and Shreyas Iyer are top picks due to their recent performances.
- Players to Watch: Prabhsimran Singh for his explosive starts and Arshdeep Singh for early breakthroughs.
With both teams eager to climb the standings, this match promises to be a thrilling contest between PBKS’s powerful batting lineup and KKR’s balanced attack.
