The 31st match of the IPL 2025 will witness a thrilling clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 at 7:30 PM IST, this high-stakes match is expected to draw considerable attention as both teams look to strengthen their position on the points table.
Match Details
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Match: Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 31, IPL 2025
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Date & Time: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST
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Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
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Live Broadcast: JioStar Network Channels
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Live Streaming: JioHotstar (App & Website)
Team Overviews
Punjab Kings (PBKS):
PBKS are coming off a dramatic loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where they posted a massive 246 but failed to defend it as SRH chased the target down with eight wickets in hand. Despite the loss, PBKS have won three out of their five games this season and are very much in the race for the playoffs. The batting line-up is looking explosive, led by captain Shreyas Iyer, with strong contributions expected from players like Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
KKR put on a clinical performance in their previous match against Chennai Super Kings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Their bowlers dominated the game, especially the spinners, restricting CSK to just 103 for 9 in 20 overs. The chase was completed in just 61 balls, highlighting the team’s efficiency. Under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, KKR look well-balanced and tactically sharp.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches: 33
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Punjab Kings Wins: 12
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Kolkata Knight Riders Wins: 21
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Tied: 0
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No Result: 0
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First Match: May 3, 2008
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Most Recent Match: April 26, 2024
KKR clearly lead the head-to-head battle, but PBKS will aim to change the tide in front of their home crowd.
Probable Playing XIs
Punjab Kings:
Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Player: Yash Thakur
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Key Players to Watch
Shreyas Iyer (PBKS):
The captain has been in consistent form this season. Facing his former team, Iyer will be keen to deliver a strong performance and lead PBKS from the front.
Sunil Narine (KKR):
A proven match-winner, Narine was exceptional in the previous game and will be crucial again on a pitch that might offer minimal help to bowlers. His ability to deceive batters with variations could play a big role.
Pitch Report – Mullanpur, Chandigarh
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is known for its flat pitch and short boundaries, making it a paradise for batters. High-scoring matches are common at this venue, and both teams possess power-hitters capable of taking advantage. The dew factor can play a role in the second innings, so chasing is usually considered the better option.
Probable Match Scenarios
Scenario 1:
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Punjab Kings win the toss and bowl first
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KKR Powerplay Score: 70-80
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KKR Total: 200-220
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Match Result: PBKS win the match chasing
Scenario 2:
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KKR win the toss and bowl first
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PBKS Powerplay Score: 60-70
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PBKS Total: 220-240
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Match Result: KKR win the match chasing
Final Prediction
Given the batting-friendly nature of the Mullanpur pitch and the quality of hitters in both line-ups, a high-scoring match is highly likely. The team bowling first may hold a slight edge due to the ease of chasing under lights and potential dew. While Punjab Kings may have the home advantage, KKR’s all-round depth makes them a tough opponent.
Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match.