IPL 2025: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Clash of Titans in Mullanpur
The IPL 2025 season continues with a high-stakes encounter as Punjab Kings (PBKS) face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 31 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. Both teams are tied at six points, making this match crucial for climbing the points table.
🔥 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 🔥
— wicketbuzz (@wicketbuzz) April 15, 2025
Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings 🆚 Ajinkya Rahane’s Kolkata Knight Riders – clash of titans in New Chandigarh! 💥
Who takes the points tonight? 👊
📸: IPL #PBKSvsKKR #Matchday #IPL2025 #T20Carnival #WicketBuzz pic.twitter.com/27v0XWHapI
PBKS vs KKR: Team Form and Key Players
Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, are eager to rebound after a heavy defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad. In that match, their bowlers struggled, conceding a massive 245 runs. The absence of Lockie Ferguson due to injury has been a setback, but Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to fill the void. Glenn Maxwell’s form remains a concern, and the team might consider bringing in Xavier Bartlett for added bowling strength.
Kolkata Knight Riders, under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, have had a mixed season with three wins and three losses. Their lineup appears stable, with Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock providing a solid opening partnership. The team might opt for Spencer Johnson over Moeen Ali if they seek an extra pacer.
Head-to-Head and Match Details
Historically, KKR has dominated this fixture, winning 21 out of 33 matches against PBKS. However, in their most recent encounter, PBKS chased down a record 262 runs, marking the highest successful run chase in IPL history.
- Date & Time: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The Mullanpur pitch is known for being batting-friendly, especially in the first innings. The average first-innings score here is around 181, suggesting a high-scoring game. Bowlers, particularly pacers, might find some assistance in the second half. The weather is expected to be hot, with no rain interruptions.
Predicted Playing XIs
Punjab Kings:
- Priyansh Arya
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Marco Jansen
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Arshdeep Singh
- Azmatullah Omarzai
Kolkata Knight Riders:
- Sunil Narine
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Spencer Johnson/Moeen Ali
