IPL 2025: Predicting KKR’s playing XI for their clash against SRH

The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 60th IPL 2025 game. Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium will host this game on Friday, May 10, at 7:30 PM (IST). It will be a must-win and do-or-die game for KKR to keep their hopes alive in contention for the tournament’s playoff stage. 

The holders, KKR, are currently in sixth place in the tournament standings, winning and losing five games each, alongside a no-result game in their 11 games so far. They have 11 points to their name in the tally, with two consecutive wins in their last two games. A win in this game will help them move up a spot or up in the points tally. 

Given that, here we’ll look at the predicted playing XI of the Kolkata Knight Riders for their upcoming game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

Openers 

The opening pair of the reigning champions, KKR, will feature the same duo of wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine. Gurrbaz played 35 runs off 25 balls, with 4 fours and a six in the last game against RR. However, Narine failed to capitalise on his good start, scoring 11 runs off nine balls, with one four and a six.

However, Narine will aim to get his form back in the next game against KKR to help his side post a big total on the board. His partnership with Rahmanullah Gurbaz could provide a strong opening start to KKR, be it in the first innings or while chasing the target. 

Middle-Order  

KKR’s middle order is set to start with the skipper Ajinkya Rahane at number three; he played a crucial knock of 30 runs off just 24 balls, with one four and two sixes. He also stitched a steady partnership of 56 runs for the second wicket with the opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. 

Following Ajinkya Rahane, the young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi will be there to bat at number four. He played a commendable knock of 44 runs off 31 balls, with five fours and also stitched a 42-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Rahane. 

Furthermore, Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh will be batting at number five or six in the lower middle order. The batting order of one of them might be replaced with the veteran all-rounder Andre Russell. Rinku Singh smashed 19 runs off just 6 balls, with one four and two sixes. 

All-Rounders  

The Caribbean stalwart Andre Russell, alongside Ramandeep Singh, will be there in the role of a specialist all-rounder in KKR’s playing XI for their game against SRH. Russell played a sensational and match-winning knock of 57 runs off just 25 balls, with 4 fours and six sixes against RR to help KKR post a 200+ total in the first innings. 

Apart from him, Ramandeep Singh could also be a crucial asset both with the bat and the ball. He can score some impactful runs in the lower batting order to help his side post a big total against SRH. 

Bowlers 

The bowling attack of the holders is highly expected to include two out-and-out pacers, Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana, alongside two specialist spinners, Moeen Ali and Varun Chakravarthy. Moeen Ali, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy claimed 2 wickets each for their side in the previous game against Rajasthan Royals. 

Besides these three, Vaibhav Arora also picked a wicket for KKR in the second innings. Eventually, KKR won the game against RR by a narrow 1-run margin. Notably, the veteran all-rounder Andre Russell can also contribute in the role of an extra pacer in the KKR playing XI against SRH.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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