PBKS vs KKR: A Crucial IPL 2025 Battle at Eden Gardens
Cricket fans are bracing for one of the most significant matches of the IPL 2025 season on April 26, when Punjab Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens. Both teams are stuck in a fierce playoff race, with every run and wicket potentially deciding their fates in the tournament. Punjab Kings find themselves in a better position, sitting on 10 points at fifth place, while KKR is under pressure at seventh, grappling to keep their season alive.
Eden Gardens is known for its electric atmosphere, and matches here often swing wildly from start to finish. The stats back it up: the average first innings score here sits at a challenging 181, meaning batters can go big if they find their groove early. The catch? Under the floodlights, the pitch tends to help pace bowlers, especially in the second half, as the ball moves around a bit more. It's why teams that win the toss usually want to bat first and let their bowlers hunt under the lights.
KKR will be counting on their home advantage as they try to snap out of their recent slump. Their previous outing against PBKS was a nightmare—they folded for a disappointing 95 runs, an embarrassing tally for a franchise known for its big hitters. The team is hoping that players like Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer, both capable of explosive starts, can turn things around. Shreyas, with his strike rate soaring above 200 this season, and Venkatesh add that edge in the top order that KKR desperately needs. But pressure is a real thing in front of the passionate Kolkata crowd, and KKR need their stars to step up.
Match-Ups, Team News, and the Pitch Factor
On the other side, PBKS have looked solid, with captain Shikhar Dhawan’s calm leadership and Ben Stokes’ all-round power. Stokes, in particular, can change a match in a span of a few overs—he’s the player KKR’s strategists are likely losing sleep over. Support from players like Prabhsimran Singh and Liam Livingstone brings extra depth to the Punjab batting, and with bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada, they have the firepower to defend or chase big totals.
The probable lineups set up plenty of exciting contests. Here’s how the teams could walk in:
- PBKS: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Prabhsimran Singh, Ben Stokes, Shahrukh Khan, Jitesh Sharma, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis
- KKR: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Warner, James Vince, Harshit Rana
Pace could play a starring role as the game wears on. Pitches at the Eden Gardens offer just enough help to keep the quick bowlers interested, especially as dew settles in and batters start taking risks. Expect power-hitting in the powerplay overs and some sharp tactical bowling as the pressure cranks up. Every dot ball and dropped catch could swing the playoff race.
The tension is obvious—one poor performance, and a team’s hopes could fade. For fans, it doesn’t get much better than this: big names, playoff drama, and the magic of an Eden Gardens night. All eyes will be on key clashes—Venkatesh Iyer’s opening bursts, Ben Stokes’ fiery spells, and those tricky middle overs where matches often turn on a single ball. Will home support spur KKR on, or will PBKS tighten their grip on that playoff berth? Only the night will tell.
