KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction : IPL 2025, 44th Match – Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match Between KKR vs PBKS?

KKR vs PBKS Betting Tips

This contest should be a tighter one with Kolkata having their home crowd behind them. Punjab Kings have won five of their eight matches to be in a fairly stable position on the log. They will be looking above them and wanting to climb to reach the safety of knockout qualification. Kolkata Knight Riders have a bit more work to do to be in touching distance of the top four places.

Also Check: Today's IPL Betting Rates

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Head-to-Head Record

Kolkata capitulated to a paltry 95 all out when they last faced Punjab and lost by 16 runs. The record in the last five matches between the teams is in favour of Punjab Kings by three wins to two. The Kings won by eight wickets in last year’s IPL edition.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings Live-streaming and Broadcast

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings is scheduled for Saturday, 26 April 2025 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This IPL match is available for viewing in India through both the Star Sports Network and the JioHotstar app.

KKR vs PBKS Team Previews

Kolkata Knight Riders

Afghan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has accumulated 290 runs across 14 IPL innings with a top score of 81 and two half-centuries. Knight Riders stalwart Sunil Narine delivered a standout performance in 2024, amassing almost 500 runs at an impressive strike rate of just over 180.

Ajinkya Rahane, bringing a wealth of experience, has taken on the leadership mantle as Kolkata Knight Riders' captain with the intention of guiding the team to continued success. He hit a half-century against Gujarat Titans.

Venkatesh Iyer has been a consistent performer with 1461 IPL runs, including a century and 12 half-centuries. Rinku Singh has accumulated 1026 IPL runs with four half-centuries. Andre Russell remains a pivotal all-rounder for KKR with over 2500 IPL runs and over 100 IPL wickets.

Ramandeep Singh, though newer to the scene, has shown promise with a strike rate over 150. Englishman Moeen Ali will bring international pedigree with over 7000 T20 runs and almost 250 T20 wickets.

On the bowling front, Vaibhav Arora took three crucial wickets in a recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Harshit Rana is steadily establishing himself after taking three wickets against Punjab previously.

Varun Chakravarthy continues to be a mainstay in the hosts' bowling attack with 93 IPL wickets and best bowling figures of five for 20.

Kolkata Knight Riders Expected Playing 11

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy

Punjab Kings

Captain Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and batting prowess are pivotal to the team's aspirations. He has 3390 IPL runs. Emerging talent Priyansh Arya has made an immediate impact with over 250 runs this season, while striking at over 200.

Complementing him is Prabhsimran Singh as a solid opening batting partner.

The middle order is fortified with the inclusion of Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis and his stability with the bat and behind the stumps. Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh add depth and versatility as two powerful middle-order power-strikers.

Wadhera scored 241 runs with two half-centuries in his debut IPL season in 2023. Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen further enhance the team's all-round balance.

Stoinis played a handy knock of 34 not out against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Jansen took three wickets against Kolkata in the return fixture this season.
Harpreet Brar's left-arm spin has been instrumental in controlling the middle overs. He has three wickets in his two IPL games this season.

Arshdeep Singh's left-arm pace continues to be a major asset in the bowling attack with 87 IPL career wickets. The spin department is bolstered by the acquisition of Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg-spin. He has eight wickets in his past four IPL bowling innings.

Punjab Kings Expected Playing 11

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

KKR vs PBKS Toss Prediction

Kolkata Knight Riders chose to bowl first in their previous game, while Punjab Kings’ previous win came from them bowling first. Neither captain is likely to hesitate in choosing to bowl first.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Eden Gardens in Kolkata has been a high-scoring venue in recent IPL seasons, with 198 runs or more being scored in the first innings on three occasions out of the four matches at the venue this year. The pitch generally offers consistent pace and bounce throughout with early swing benefitting pacers during the powerplay. Notably, Punjab Kings chased down a record 262-run target against Kolkata Knight Riders at this venue in 2024.

Humidity and heat will be the two most prominent weather features of the day. Temperatures are expected to be around the mid-30s degrees Celsius. There is no rain forecasted for matchday either.

KKR vs PBKS: Who Will Win?

KKR is struggling to get its balance right and most of its senior overseas players have struggled. Punjab Kings have been inconsistent as well but we believe they have a better team than the Knight Riders. PBKS has more batting depth and its batters will love batting at the Eden Gardens. The fact that the best betting sites still have PBKS as the underdog is a huge opportunity to take advantage of.

KKR vs PBKS win percentage stands at 51% in favor of KKR.

Todays IPL Match Prediction: Punjab Kings to Win.