Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be taking on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 31st match of IPL 2025 at Mullanpur in Chandigarh on April 15.
Top Three Battles to Watch Out For
- Shreyas Iyer vs Varun Chakaravarthy
Former KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer is in terrific form in this year’s IPL. Varun, the key bowler in the KKR setup, is also in good form, having picked up eight wickets in six games. Iyer has scored 33 runs off 22 balls against Varun while getting out only once. This middle-over matchup could prove to be decisive.
- Ajinkya Rahane vs Arshdeep Singh
The KKR skipper is in good touch this year, having scored 204 runs from six games at an average of 40.80 and a strike rate of 155, including two half-centuries. Arshdeep, the main pacer in the PBKS lineup, will challenge Rahane with his ability to swing the ball both ways. Rahane has managed 21 runs off 16 balls against Arshdeep but has been dismissed twice.
- Marcus Stoinis vs Andre Russell
Both all-rounders—Stoinis and Russell—haven’t found their best form this season. However, the KKR captain might be tempted to bring on Russell as soon as Stoinis comes to bat, considering the latter’s struggles against him. In T20s, Stoinis has scored only 42 runs off 38 balls against Russell and has been dismissed six times. KKR needs Russell’s finishing abilities in the end overs to go far in this year’s IPL.