Get ready for an electrifying encounter in Match 44 of IPL 2025 as Punjab Kings (PBKS) lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on April 26, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST. PBKS vs KKR IPL This high-stakes clash features intense rivalry, key fantasy picks, and playoff implications. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or looking for the best Dream11 prediction, we’ve got everything covered!
PBKS vs KKR IPL 2025 Match Preview
Kolkata Knight Riders, captained by Ajinkya Rahane, are on a comeback trail. After a shaky start to IPL 2025, they’ve moved to 7th place with 3 wins in 8 matches, most recently they got defeated by Gujarat Titans in Match 39 by 39 runs. Ajinkya RAhane starred in that game with a blazing 50 off 36 balls.
On the other side, Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, are in 5th place with 5 wins in 8 matches and a +0.177 NRR. Despite a loss to RCB in Match 37, PBKS are high on confidence—especially after their iconic defense of 111 runs against KKR earlier this season at the same venue.
Head-to-Head Stats:
- Total Matches: 32
- KKR Wins: 21
- PBKS Wins: 11
Despite KKR’s superior record, PBKS have momentum after winning their previous meeting in Match 31 of IPL 2025.
Eden Gardens Pitch Report – IPL 2025
The Eden Gardens pitch has shown dual behavior this season:
- Slow surface aiding spinners (PBKS defended 111 here).
- But also supports big totals (PBKS scored 262/2 vs KKR in 2024).
Pitch Stats:
- Average 1st Innings Score: ~160-161 runs
- Dew Factor: Likely due to evening conditions
- Spinners to Watch: Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Yuzvendra Chahal
- Pace Support: Initial movement possible under lights
Toss Prediction: Expect both captains to chase due to dew advantage.
PBKS vs KKR IPL 2025 Squads
🟥 Punjab Kings (PBKS) Squad
Captain: Shreyas Iyer
Key Players: Glenn Maxwell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prabhsimran Singh
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keepers | Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Josh Inglis |
| Batters | Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Harnoor Singh, Musheer Khan |
| All-Rounders | Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Bowlers | Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, Kuldeep Sen, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Pyla Avinash, Praveen Dubey, Yash Thakur, Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh |
🟣 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Squad
Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
Key Players: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicket-Keepers | Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Luvnith Sisodia |
| Batters | Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi |
| All-Rounders | Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Moeen Ali, Anukul Roy |
| Bowlers | Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Umran Malik, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Rovman Powell |
PBKS vs KKR Dream11 Prediction – IPL 2025 Match 44
Suggested Fantasy XI:
- Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock (KKR), Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS)
- Batters: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS), Rinku Singh (KKR), Nehal Wadhera (PBKS)
- All-Rounders: Sunil Narine (KKR – C), Glenn Maxwell (PBKS – VC), Andre Russell (KKR)
- Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS), Varun Chakravarthy (KKR), Arshdeep Singh (PBKS)
Top Fantasy Picks:
- Sunil Narine: 70 wickets at Eden Gardens; adds runs with the bat
- Glenn Maxwell: Game-changing all-rounder (37 off 12 in Match 27)
- Andre Russell: Big hitter and handy pacer in death overs
- Yuzvendra Chahal: Took 4/28 in previous clash vs KKR
- Prabhsimran Singh: 276 runs in his last 10 matches
Fantasy Tips:
- Prefer spin all-rounders (Narine, Maxwell, Russell)
- Pick spinners over pacers on slow Eden surface
- Back top-order batters like de Kock & Iyer for early impact
Why PBKS vs KKR IPL 2025 Match 44 is a Must-Watch
- Tactical Showdown: Spin trio of Narine, Chakravarthy, and Chahal could decide the game
- Key Player Battles: Maxwell vs Russell, Iyer vs Narine
- Playoff Race: PBKS eyeing Top 4, KKR fighting to stay alive
- Rematch Factor: Can KKR avenge their earlier defeat at home?
How to Watch PBKS vs KKR IPL 2025 Live
- Date & Time: April 26, 2025, 07:30 PM IST
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Online Streaming: JioHotstar
- Live Score: CricBuzz
IPL 2025 Points Table (Before Match 44)
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Titans | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | +1.104 |
| Delhi Capitals | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | +0.657 |
| RCB | 9 | 6 | 3 | 12 | +0.482 |
| Mumbai Indians | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 | +0.673 |
| Punjab Kings | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 | +0.177 |
| LSG | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 | -0.054 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | +0.212 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 | -0.625 |
| SRH | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -1.361 |
| CSK | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -1.392 |
Conclusion
The PBKS vs KKR encounter in Match 44 of IPL 2025 promises a tactical, high-stakes battle between two spin-heavy sides. With both teams hungry for crucial points and Eden Gardens set for a strategic showdown, fans can expect fireworks! Who will dominate—Narine’s KKR or Maxwell’s PBKS?
👉 Drop your predictions in the comments and follow for more IPL 2025 match previews, fantasy tips, and analysis!
