PBKS vs KKR IPL 2025: As the IPL 2025 action rolls into Mullanpur, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is all set to witness a high-voltage clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. Both teams find themselves in the middle of the points table, yet their potential suggests far more. This matchup could well define the mid-season momentum and push the winner closer to the top-four race.
A Mid-Table Clash With High Stakes
While KKR and PBKS haven’t been consistent enough so far, the quality in their squads cannot be questioned. A win here is not just about collecting two points—it’s about setting the tone for the second half of the season. With teams closely packed in the standings, net run rate (NRR) is proving to be a silent tiebreaker, adding further significance to every over bowled and every run scored.
Punjab Kings come into this match licking their wounds from a high-scoring loss in Hyderabad, where they failed to defend a mammoth 245. Their new home in Mullanpur hasn’t offered much respite to bowlers either, with three of the four innings played here crossing 200 runs. That said, the batters will relish the conditions, while the bowlers will need to dig deep.
Shreyas Iyer vs Old Allies
One of the most intriguing subplots will be PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer facing his former franchise. Iyer, who has scored 456 runs at an average of 41.45 and a strike rate over 150 against KKR, will know the inside-out of the Knight Riders’ dressing room. With Lockie Ferguson ruled out for the season due to a hamstring injury, Iyer’s leadership and middle-order contributions will be critical.
Team Watch: Punjab Kings
Injury News: Lockie Ferguson is officially ruled out for the rest of the season. As per bowling coach James Hopes, the injury is significant, and there’s little hope of a return.
Key Matchups and Strategy: With a solid personal record against KKR, Iyer will be central to PBKS’ plans. However, he needs support from a misfiring Glenn Maxwell, who has averaged just 6.61 since 2024 in the IPL, scoring only 86 runs in 13 innings. Yuzvendra Chahal, meanwhile, has a strong record against KKR and could be the game-changer.
Probable Playing XI (PBKS):
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Vyshak Vijaykumar
Team Watch: Kolkata Knight Riders
Injury News: Anrich Nortje is yet to feature in IPL 2025 and his status remains unclear. KKR might rotate Moeen Ali for Spencer Johnson if they opt for more pace.
Key Matchups and Strategy: Andre Russell has had the better of Shreyas Iyer (dismissed him 5 times in 9 innings) and Marcus Stoinis (3 dismissals in 5 innings), and could be used tactically with the ball despite his limited overs so far this season. KKR’s spin trio of Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, and potentially Moeen Ali continues to be the backbone, boasting the best economy (6.73) and average (20.62) among all teams.
Probable Playing XI (KKR):
Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson/Moeen Ali, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora
Did You Know?
- KKR spinners have outperformed all others this season with elite numbers across the board. In contrast, PBKS spinners have struggled—conceding the highest average (54.4), economy (10.46), and strike rate (31.2).
- Sunil Narine has enjoyed remarkable success against Punjab Kings—34 wickets in 25 matches at an average of 20.02, and even 251 runs with two half-centuries.
- Glenn Maxwell, once a T20 giant, is enduring a nightmare phase with the bat. PBKS will hope he finds form before it’s too late.
What to Expect
Expect fireworks on a flat Mullanpur pitch that’s favored the batters heavily. With heavy hitters like Russell, Maxwell, Narine, and Stoinis on display, a high-scoring thriller seems inevitable. Whether dew plays a role remains uncertain, but either way, chasing might be the preferred option.
Head-to-Head Record
KKR lead 21-12 in overall meetings, but since 2020, the rivalry has been more balanced, with both sides winning four matches each. Given the form and context, this match could tilt the balance again.
KKR vs PBKS Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
TV: Star Sports Network (Select channels with Hindi, English, regional language options)
Live Streaming: JioCinema (free in India across all languages and devices)
With playoff ambitions still very much alive, PBKS and KKR both have everything to play for. Shreyas Iyer’s duel with his former side adds drama, while tactical matchups—especially in the spin and death overs—could prove decisive. Will Punjab bounce back at home, or will Kolkata’s calculated aggression take them higher up the table?
