The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced a surprising defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 31 of the IPL 2025 season on April 15, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. PBKS defended a modest total of 111, bowling out KKR for 95 to secure a thrilling 16-run victory. This match showcased the unpredictability of T20 cricket, with PBKS’s spinners turning the game on its head. Here’s the KKR vs PBKS match report, key highlights, and the updated IPL 2025 points table.
KKR vs PBKS IPL Match Report
Punjab Kings Innings: 111/10 (15.3 Overs)
PBKS, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, struggled against KKR’s disciplined bowling attack. Openers Priyansh Arya (22 off 12) and Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15) provided a fiery start, scoring 54 in the powerplay, but their momentum was quickly halted. Harshit Rana struck twice in the fourth over, dismissing Arya and captain Shreyas Iyer (0) in quick succession, while Varun Chakravarthy removed debutant Josh Inglis (2). Nehal Wadhera (10) and Glenn Maxwell (7) fell cheaply to Anrich Nortje and Chakravarthy, respectively, leaving PBKS at 76/6 after 9 overs. Shashank Singh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (11) attempted a recovery, but Sunil Narine (2/14) and Vaibhav Arora (2/26) ensured PBKS were bowled out for 111 in 15.3 overs. Harshit Rana was the standout bowler with 3/25, while a mix-up led to Bartlett’s run-out to end the innings.
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings: 95/10 (15.1 Overs)
Chasing a modest 112, KKR started poorly, losing Sunil Narine (5) and Quinton de Kock (2) inside the first two overs to Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett, respectively. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37 off 28) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (17) steadied the ship with a 55-run partnership, taking KKR to 62/2 by the eighth over [Post ID: 6]. However, Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game, dismissing Rahane (lbw) and Raghuvanshi in quick succession, finishing with 4/28. Glenn Maxwell (1/5) trapped Venkatesh Iyer (7) lbw, and Chahal removed Rinku Singh (2) and Ramandeep Singh (0), reducing KKR to 76/7. Andre Russell (17 off 11) offered brief resistance, but Jansen (3/17) and Arshdeep Singh (1/11) wrapped up the innings, bowling KKR out for 95 in 15.1 overs. PBKS’s spinners and pacers combined brilliantly to defend the low total, with sentiments on X calling it a “terrific pitch” where “spin to win” was key.
KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31: Key Highlights
- Chahal’s Game-Changing Spell: Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/28, including the wickets of Rahane, Raghuvanshi, Singh, and Ramandeep, triggered KKR’s collapse and earned him Player of the Match honors.
- Harshit Rana’s Early Strikes: Harshit Rana’s 3/25, including the dismissals of Arya, Iyer, and Prabhsimran, set the tone for KKR’s dominance in the first innings.
- PBKS’s Powerplay Start: Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh’s 54-run powerplay gave PBKS a strong start before their batting crumbled.
- KKR’s Dramatic Collapse: KKR lost 5 wickets for just 7 runs between the 10th and 13th overs, falling from 72/4 to 79/8.
- Thrilling Low-Scoring Finish: PBKS defended 111, with sentiments describing the match as an “absolute thriller” despite the low totals.
IPL 2025 Points Table After KKR vs PBKS IPL Match Report
PBKS’s 16-run victory propelled them into the top four of the IPL 2025 points table, strengthening their playoff chances. KKR, despite the loss, remain in contention but slipped to sixth place, with their Net Run Rate taking a hit. The updated standings reflect a tight race, with Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru leading the pack.
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +1.081 |
| Delhi Capitals | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +0.899 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +0.672 |
| Punjab Kings | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +0.172 |
| Lucknow Super Giants | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +0.086 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.547 |
| Mumbai Indians | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.104 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.838 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.245 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -1.276 |
Why KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31 Was a Game-Changer
- PBKS’s Resilience: Defending a low total of 111, PBKS showcased their bowling depth, with Chahal and Maxwell proving spin was the key to winning on this pitch.
- KKR’s Reality Check: After a strong start, KKR’s batting collapse highlighted vulnerabilities in their middle order, a concern as the playoff race intensifies.
- Playoff Implications: PBKS’s win solidified their top-four spot, while KKR will need to regroup quickly to stay in the playoff hunt.
How to Catch Up on KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Match 31
- Highlights: Available on the JioHotstar app and website.
- Full Match Replay: Stream on JioHotstar or check Star Sports Network for re-telecasts.
- Full Scorecard: CricBuzz
Conclusion
The KKR vs PBKS IPL Match Report on April 15, 2025, was a low-scoring thriller that saw PBKS defend 111 to win by 16 runs. Yuzvendra Chahal’s match-defining spell and KKR’s dramatic collapse were the talking points of the game, with fans on X buzzing about the “unbelievable effort” from PBKS. This result has shaken up the IPL 2025 points table, setting the stage for an intense playoff race. Stay tuned for more IPL action, and share your thoughts on this epic match in the comments below!
