Get ready for an exciting clash as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 31 of the IPL 2025 season! KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Scheduled for April 15, 2025, at 07:30 PM IST, this thrilling encounter will unfold at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. Whether you’re a cricket fan or a fantasy cricket enthusiast, this KKR vs PBKS match preview provides everything you need—pitch insights, squad details, and a top Dream11 prediction to help you excel in your fantasy game. Let’s dive into the action!
KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31: Match Preview
The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings matchup promises to be a high-stakes battle in IPL 2025. KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, are coming off a mixed run, with their recent form showing 2 wins in their last 5 matches (based on historical trends). With a star-studded squad featuring Quinton de Kock, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine, KKR will aim to leverage their all-round strength. Their bowling attack, led by Varun Chakravarthy and Anrich Nortje, has been a key asset, but their batting needs consistency after a loss to CSK in Match 25.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings, with a new-look squad featuring Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis, are looking to bounce back after a crushing 8-wicket loss to SRH in Match 27, where they failed to defend 245. PBKS’s batting, led by Iyer (82 off 36 in Match 27) and Prabhsimran Singh, has shown promise, but their bowling, especially in the death overs, has been a concern (as noted in previous posts). With Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh leading their bowling, PBKS will look to exploit the conditions in Chandigarh. Historically, KKR lead the head-to-head record with 21 wins to PBKS’s 11 in 32 encounters, but PBKS will aim to turn the tables on April 15, 2025.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, has been a balanced venue in recent IPL seasons. In IPL 2024, the pitch supported competitive totals, with an average first-innings score of around 170-180. The surface offers early assistance to pacers with some swing and bounce, while spinners come into play in the middle overs as the pitch slows down. Being a night game, dew could play a significant role, potentially favoring the team chasing. The outfield is quick, and the boundaries are relatively large, which might keep the scoring in check compared to smaller venues.
- Average 1st Innings Score: ~170-180 runs (varies with conditions)
- Key Factors: Early swing for pacers, turn for spinners, and dew favoring chasing teams in night games.
- Toss Prediction: Captains might opt to bowl first to exploit the dew factor in the second innings.
With KKR’s spin-heavy attack and PBKS’s pace options, this pitch could offer an intriguing contest on April 15, 2025!
KKR vs PBKS Squads for IPL 2025 Match 31
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad
| Wicket-Keepers | Batters | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prabhsimran Singh | Nehal Wadhera | Musheer Khan | Harpreet Brar |
| Vishnu Vinod | Harnoor Singh | Marcus Stoinis | Yuzvendra Chahal |
| Josh Inglis | Shreyas Iyer | Glenn Maxwell | Arshdeep Singh |
| Pyla Avinash | Praveen Dubey | Lockie Ferguson | |
| Priyansh Arya | Azmatullah Omarzai | Xavier Bartlett | |
| Aaron Hardie | Kuldeep Sen | ||
| Marco Jansen | Vijaykumar Vyshak | ||
| Suryansh Shedge | Yash Thakur | ||
| Shashank Singh |
Key Highlights:
- Captain: Not specified (Shreyas Iyer likely, given his prominence)
- Star Players: Shreyas Iyer (Batter), Glenn Maxwell (All-Rounder), Yuzvendra Chahal (Bowler)
- Strength: Aggressive batting lineup and a versatile all-round bowling attack
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Squad
| Wicket-Keepers | Batters | All-Rounders | Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luvnith Sisodia | Ajinkya Rahane | Sunil Narine | Varun Chakravarthy |
| Quinton de Kock | Manish Pandey | Andre Russell | Harshit Rana |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Angkrish Raghuvanshi | Ramandeep Singh | Vaibhav Arora |
| Rinku Singh | Anukul Roy | Mayank Markande | |
| Rovman Powell | Venkatesh Iyer | Umran Malik | |
| Moeen Ali | Anrich Nortje | ||
| Spencer Johnson |
Key Highlights:
- Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
- Star Players: Quinton de Kock (WK), Andre Russell (All-Rounder), Sunil Narine (All-Rounder)
- Strength: Explosive all-rounders and a versatile bowling attack
KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction for IPL 2025 Match 31
Crafting a winning Dream11 team for KKR vs PBKS requires selecting in-form players, all-rounders, and match-winners. Here’s our expert Dream11 prediction based on current form, pitch conditions, and head-to-head stats:
Dream11 Team
- Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock (KKR), Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
- Batters: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Rinku Singh (KKR), Rovman Powell (KKR)
- Allrounders: Sunil Narine (KKR), Andre Russell (KKR), Glenn Maxwell (PBKS)
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), Varun Chakravarthy (KKR), Anrich Nortje (KKR)
- Captain: Sunil Narine (all-round impact on a balanced pitch)
- Vice-Captain: Glenn Maxwell (game-changer with bat and ball.
Key Players to Watch
- Sunil Narine: KKR’s all-round star, likely to exploit the conditions with his mystery spin and contribute with the bat.
- Glenn Maxwell: PBKS’s all-rounder, capable of turning the game with his aggressive batting and off-spin .
- Shreyas Iyer: PBKS’s key batter, in form with 82 off 36 in Match 27, expected to anchor the innings.
- Andre Russell: KKR’s all-rounder, a proven match-winner with his power-hitting and wicket-taking ability.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: PBKS’s spinner, likely to make an impact with his leg-spin on a pitch that assists turn.
Fantasy Tips
- Load up on all-rounders like Narine, Russell, and Maxwell for their dual contributions.
- Include spinners like Chahal and Chakravarthy, as the pitch may assist turn in the middle overs.
- Pick pacers like Nortje and Arshdeep Singh for early wickets and death-over impact.
Why KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31 is a Must-Watch
- Balanced Contest: The Mullanpur pitch offers something for both batters and bowlers, promising a competitive game.
- Star Power: From Russell’s all-round brilliance to Maxwell’s aggression, this match is packed with IPL superstars.
- Playoff Race: A win here could be crucial for either team’s IPL 2025 playoff chances, especially for PBKS after their recent loss.
Where to Watch KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31
- Date & Time: April 15, 2025, 07:30 PM IST
- Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App and Website
- Live Score: CricBuzz
Conclusion
The KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium is set to be a thrilling encounter. With KKR’s all-round strength and PBKS’s fighting spirit, fans are in for a treat. Use our pitch report, squad analysis, and Dream11 prediction to stay ahead in your fantasy leagues. Will KKR continue their historical dominance, or will PBKS bounce back? Share your predictions in the comments below!
