Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to face off in the 44th match of IPL 2025, with both teams eager to turn their fortunes around. This will be their second meeting this season, with PBKS having scripted history in their first clash by successfully defending the lowest-ever total in IPL, making it a game to remember.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Team Preview
Defending champions KKR have had a tough season so far. Their campaign began with a loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru before securing their first win against PBKS. Their inconsistency continued as they lost to Mumbai Indians, bounced back against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and suffered another defeat at the hands of Lucknow Super Giants. A win against CSK briefly lifted their spirits, but consecutive losses to PBKS and Gujarat Titans have left them struggling. With three wins and six points from eight matches, KKR currently find themselves in seventh place, needing a strong comeback.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Team Preview
Punjab Kings have been one of the more impressive teams this season. They started IPL 2025 on a strong note, clinching back-to-back victories against Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants. However, a defeat to Rajasthan Royals halted their momentum before they bounced back with a win over CSK. A loss to SRH followed, but PBKS regained form with victories over KKR and RCB before suffering a setback in their return match against RCB. With five wins and 10 points from eight matches, Punjab Kings sit comfortably in fifth place, holding onto hopes of making the playoffs.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Match Details
Date and Time: 26th April, Saturday, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Live Streaming: JioHotstar (app & website)/ Star Sports Network
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Pitch Report
Eden Gardens has traditionally favored spinners, and after a more batting-friendly phase in 2024, the pitches have once again reverted to their spin-friendly nature. This season, spinners have dominated, particularly in the latter half of the innings, making stroke-making increasingly difficult as the game progresses.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Weather Report
Matchday in Kolkata is set to be warm, with temperatures staying around 30 degrees Celsius. While the skies will have some cloud cover, there’s no threat of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted contest. Strong winds are expected, adding an extra challenge for bowlers and fielders, while the humidity will be on the higher side.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Toss Report
Looking at Eden Gardens’ IPL stats, captains winning the toss are more likely to opt for chasing. Out of 96 matches played at this venue, teams batting second have won 56 times, compared to 40 wins for teams setting a target.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Team Analysis
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Strength
Kolkata Knight Riders have a well-rounded squad with a strong mix of experienced players and emerging talents. Their batting lineup, led by Ajinkya Rahane and Rinku Singh, has shown flashes of brilliance, with Rahane being the most consistent performer. The presence of all-rounders like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine adds depth, allowing flexibility in both batting and bowling. Their spin attack, featuring Varun Chakaravarthy and Narine, remains a key weapon, especially on slower tracks.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Weakness
KKR has struggled with inconsistency, particularly in their middle order. Their batting collapses have been a recurring issue, with the team having the lowest middle-order average in IPL 2025 (20.00) and the worst scoring rate in the middle overs (17.4). The lack of reliable finishers has hurt their ability to chase or set imposing totals.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Strength
Punjab Kings have built a well-balanced squad for IPL 2025, blending experienced international stars with promising young talents. Their batting lineup, led by Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis, offers both stability and firepower, making them a formidable unit. Their bowling attack is equally strong, featuring Arshdeep Singh’s death-over expertise, Yuzvendra Chahal’s wicket-taking ability in the middle overs, and Lockie Ferguson’s raw pace.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Weakness
Punjab Kings face challenges that could hinder their campaign. Their top order lacks experience, relying heavily on Indian batters who may struggle against high-quality bowling attacks. Additionally, PBKS depend heavily on their overseas all-rounders—Maxwell, Stoinis, and Marco Jansen—to finish games, which could be risky if they fail to deliver consistently. Their spin department, beyond Chahal, lacks depth, making them vulnerable on turning tracks.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Key Players
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Ajinkya Rahane: Despite Kolkata Knight Riders’ struggles this season, Ajinkya Rahane has been their most consistent performer with the bat. The veteran batter has accumulated 271 runs in eight matches at an average of 38.71, including three half-centuries. His composed innings against Gujarat Titans showcased his ability to anchor the innings while accelerating when needed.
Varun Chakaravarthy: While Varun Chakaravarthy hasn’t dominated IPL 2025, he has remained a reliable force in KKR’s bowling attack. The mystery spinner has taken 10 wickets in eight matches at an average of 20.10, often operating on unresponsive surfaces at Eden Gardens. His ability to deceive batters with variations has kept opposition teams cautious.
Sunil Narine: Narine has been one of the standout performers for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball. His explosive 44 off 18 balls against Chennai Super Kings set the tone for KKR’s dominant victory, while his spell of 3/13 dismantled CSK’s batting lineup.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Yuzvendra Chahal: After a slow start to the season, Punjab Kings’ ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has rediscovered his rhythm in IPL 2025. The highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history, Chahal initially struggled to make an impact but has turned things around in the last two matches, picking up six wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate.
Shashank Singh: Punjab Kings showed immense faith in Shashank Singh by retaining him ahead of IPL 2025, and he has justified that decision with his performances. The hard-hitting batter has been a crucial asset in the death overs, providing PBKS with much-needed firepower when finishing innings. His unbeaten 44 off 16 balls against Gujarat Titans was a standout moment, proving his ability to deliver under pressure.
Shreyas Iyer: Shreyas Iyer will be eager to make amends after his disappointing duck in the last encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders. The Punjab Kings skipper has been in stellar form this season, amassing 263 runs from eight innings at an impressive average of 43.83 and a blistering strike rate of 185.22. His ability to dominate spin and pace alike has made him a key player for PBKS.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Probable Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) probable playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy (IP).
Punjab Kings (PBKS) probable playing XI: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Jos Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal (IP).
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Head-to-Head Records
Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings have faced off 34 times in the IPL, with KKR emerging as the dominant side, securing 21 victories. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have managed to win 13 encounters, struggling to gain an upper hand in this rivalry.
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Dream 11 Prediction
Wicket- Keepers – Prabhsimran Singh
Batters – Shreyas Iyer (vc), Ajinkya Rahane, Priyansh Arya, Rinku Singh
All-rounders – Sunil Narine (c), Marco Jansen, Andre Russell
Bowlers – Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana
IPL 2025, Match 44: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Full Squad
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) full squad for IPL 2025: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Chetan Sakariya, Mayank Markande.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) full squad for IPL 2025: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Josh Inglis(w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Praveen Dubey, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kuldeep Sen, Harnoor Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash.
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