Punjab Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders
It’s a mid-season clash with plenty at stake as the Punjab Kings host the Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 31 of IPL 2025, set to be played in Chandigarh this Tuesday. Punjab, who have slipped to sixth on the points table following a defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, will be desperate to steady their campaign. Despite recent setbacks, their explosive batting unit still makes them one of the more threatening outfits in the tournament.
Meanwhile, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders haven’t quite found their rhythm this season. With three wins and as many losses, KKR are level with Punjab on points but will look to draw confidence from their experience and squad depth.
Both sides know the importance of building momentum as the league stage enters a critical phase, and while Punjab will be banking on home advantage, KKR won’t make it easy. Expect a tight contest under the lights in Chandigarh.
Shreyas Iyer in red-hot form at No. 3 with a strike rate over 200 and looks like Punjab’s most reliable batter.
The betting tip is...
Shreyas Iyer to Score 29.5+ Runs
65 %
35 %
Punjab KingsKolkata Knight RidersPunjab Kings sit mid-table with three wins from six matches, still well in the playoff mix. Their last game, a 491-run spectacle against Sunrisers Hyderabad, ended in a deflating eight-wicket loss despite posting 245-6. The batting clicked, but the bowling crumbled under pressure on a batter-friendly pitch.
The top order has impressed. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh have provided quick starts, while Shreyas Iyer has been in elite form at No. 3, piling up 250 runs at a strike rate over 200. He remains key to their batting engine.
The middle order, however, is under scrutiny. Nehal Wadhera hasn’t found rhythm, and Glenn Maxwell’s poor form continues. Josh Inglis could be a timely inclusion to add punch. Marcus Stoinis brought fireworks with an 11-ball 34 last game, while Shashank Singh has offered steady finishing.
Bowling remains the bigger concern. Arshdeep Singh has led the way with seven wickets and decent control. But Marco Jansen’s expensive spells and Lockie Ferguson’s injury — he bowled just two deliveries before walking off — leave Punjab sweating on their fast-bowling options.
If Lockie Ferguson isn’t fit to return, Punjab may look to draft in a local pacer to shore up their attack.
Predicted Lineup: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson/ Josh Inglis, Yuzvendra Chahal Impact Player: Yash Thakur/ Vijaykumar Vyshak
Kolkata Knight Riders are navigating IPL 2025 with a careful blend of stability and tactical shifts. With three wins and three losses, they haven’t strung together consecutive results yet—but their 8-wicket hammering of Chennai Super Kings has lifted them to fourth, keeping them firmly in the mix.
The batting order is starting to take shape. Sunil Narine has been electric at the top, striking at 190 and offsetting Quinton de Kock’s patchy form. Ajinkya Rahane has emerged as the glue in the top order, scoring 204 runs at a healthy strike rate of 154. A recent tweak saw Rinku Singh pushed up to No. 4, a move that paid off and one KKR will likely stick with going forward.
Still, some cracks remain. Andre Russell hasn’t found his usual power game, Ramandeep Singh’s impact has been minimal, and Venkatesh Iyer is yet to string together meaningful performances beyond a solitary good knock.
Bowling, on the other hand, has been a strong point. Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora are doing a tidy job early, while the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine continues to strangle opposition lineups through the middle.
Moeen Ali adds variety to an already well-rounded spin unit, giving KKR a solid edge in slower conditions.
Predicted Lineup: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh , Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Expect a tight contest, but KKR’s superior spin attack could give them the edge on a slower Chandigarh pitch. If Narine and Chakaravarthy keep Punjab’s middle order quiet and the top order fires just enough, Kolkata might sneak this one—especially if Ferguson remains out and Punjab's bowling lacks bite.
