Shreyas Iyer will go head-to-head with his former franchise as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lock horns with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Tuesday, April 15.
In a setback for PBKS, pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of IPL 2025 due to injury. This further weakens an already vulnerable bowling attack. However, PBKS have viable replacements in Azmatullah Omarzai or Xavier Bartlett, both of whom could be effective on the Mullanpur surface.
KKR, on the other hand, will enter the match high on confidence after a dominant win over CSK at Chepauk. Their main concern remains the batting order, which needs better clarity. Ajinkya Rahane will also need to manage his bowling resources wisely if KKR are to overcome the challenge posed by PBKS.
Pitch Report
The surface at Mullanpur has favoured batters so far this season, indicating the possibility of a high-scoring contest. That said, both pacers and spinners have found assistance, with teams successfully defending totals in two matches at this venue so far this season.
Head-to-Head
KKR lead the overall head-to-head against PBKS 21-12. However, the rivalry has been evenly matched since 2020, with each team winning four games apiece.
Weather Forecast
Clear skies are expected, with no rain likely. The temperature will hover around 34°C at the start of the match, cooling to 27°C by the end.
Where to Watch
Live coverage will be available on the Star Sports Network, and the match can be streamed on the JioCinema app and website.
Match Prediction
Ferguson’s injury is a blow for PBKS, but they remain strong contenders at home. They begin as slight favourites, although KKR are very much capable of springing a surprise. Expect a tightly contested, high-scoring affair.