The 44th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to take place between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 PM IST. This clash is crucial for both teams, especially for KKR, who are in dire need of a win to stay alive in the race to the playoffs.
Team Overview
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
The defending champions have found themselves in a tricky situation this season. With just three wins and five defeats from their eight games, KKR are currently struggling at the lower end of the points table. Their recent 39-run loss at home against Gujarat Titans only worsened their playoff hopes. The form of big names like Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh has been underwhelming, and they’ll need to step up if KKR are to bounce back. Captain Ajinkya Rahane, known for his composure, will have a major role to play as a leader in this must-win clash.
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
PBKS are just outside the top four, having secured five wins from eight matches. They suffered a setback in their last game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, losing by seven wickets at Mullanpur. Despite the recent dip in form of skipper Shreyas Iyer, PBKS look like a more balanced side at this stage. Iyer, who started IPL 2025 with a bang, will be keen to lead from the front, especially against his former franchise, KKR.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches: 34
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KKR Wins: 21
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PBKS Wins: 13
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Tied/NR: 0
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First Match: May 3, 2008
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Last Match: April 15, 2025 (PBKS won by 16 runs defending 112 – the lowest successful defense in IPL history)
Match Details
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Match: KKR vs PBKS, Match 44, IPL 2025
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Date & Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
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Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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Live Broadcast & Streaming: JioStar Network and JioHotstar (App & Website)
Pitch Report – Eden Gardens
The Eden Gardens pitch has traditionally supported batsmen, and this season has been no different. The average first-innings score is around 202, with three out of four games being won by the team batting first. Expect a high-scoring game, and winning the toss and opting to bat first might be the best strategy, as applying scoreboard pressure could work effectively under lights.
Probable Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
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Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
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Sunil Narine
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Ajinkya Rahane (C)
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Venkatesh Iyer
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Rinku Singh
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Andre Russell
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Ramandeep Singh
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Moeen Ali
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Harshit Rana
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Vaibhav Arora
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Varun Chakaravarthy
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Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
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Priyansh Arya
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Prabhsimran Singh
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Shreyas Iyer (C)
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Josh Inglis (WK)
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Nehal Wadhera
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Shashank Singh
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Marcus Stoinis
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Marco Jansen
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Xavier Bartlett
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Harpreet Brar
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Arshdeep Singh
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Impact Player: Yuzvendra Chahal
Key Players to Watch
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS):
Despite a recent dip in form, Iyer remains a key figure. He has scored 263 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 185.22. Returning to Eden Gardens, he’ll be motivated to perform well against his former team.
Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR):
The mystery spinner has taken 10 wickets in eight matches and can be a game-changer on a turning track. He’ll be crucial in the middle overs to break PBKS’s momentum.
Match Scenarios and Predictions
Scenario 1:
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KKR win the toss and bowl first
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PBKS Powerplay Score: 65-75
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PBKS Total: 210-220
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Prediction: Punjab Kings win
Scenario 2:
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PBKS win the toss and bowl first
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KKR Powerplay Score: 55-65
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KKR Total: 200-210
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Prediction: Punjab Kings win
Final Prediction
With better form and team balance, Punjab Kings are the favorites to win this contest. KKR are under pressure, and unless their middle order clicks, they might find it hard to contain a confident PBKS side.
Match Prediction: Punjab Kings to win