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

The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on the Punjab Kings v(PBKS) in the 44th game of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025). It will be a crucial and must-win game for KKR to stay alive in contention for the tournament’s knockout stage. They are currently struggling in the seventh spot on the tournament’s points table. 

Ajinkya Rahane’s men are coming off two consecutive defeats in their last games against PBKS and GT, respectively, and have won only three games while losing five in their eight games so far. So, it will be an all-important game for them to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. 

Here is the predicted playing XI of KKR against PBKS:

Openers 

The opening pair of the KKR will look the same, as the star wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine will be there to start the innings. However, the duo failed to get a good start in the last game against GT, but they are capable of making a strong comeback in this game against PBKS. 

Sunil Narine scored 17 runs off 13 balls, with two fours and a six; he will be eyeing converting his quick start into a big knock in this game. So, the duo might be seen opening the innings for KKR once again in their next game. 

Middle-Order   

The middle-order of the holders will start with the veteran number three batter Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in a brilliant batting form amidst the team’s dismal run in the tournament. He also played a crucial 50-run knock in the last game against GT, but it went in vain as KKR eventually lost the game by 39 runs.

Rahane is expected to be followed by the young number four batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who came to bat as an impact player in the previous game. But he might come as a full-fledged number four batter in this game. He scored a quick 27 runs off just 13 balls, with three fours and a six against GT. Later in the middle order, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh will also be there to bat at numbers five, six and seven. 

All-Rounders  

KKR will look ahead to include the Caribbean stalwart Andre Russell and the veteran England all-rounder Moeen Ali as the all-rounder duo in the playing XI for this game against PBKS. Russell scored 21 runs off 15 balls, featuring three fours and a six, alongside picking up a wicket as well in his one-over stint.

Besides him, Moeen Ali could also be a crucial asset with the bat and the ball. Moeen Ali might also be promoted up the order to bat, in an effort to add some important runs in the middle order. 

Bowlers 

The bowling attack of the KKR might look like a mix of specialist bowlers and bowling all-rounders. Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarty could be there in the playing XI as specialist pacers and spinners, while they will get extra support from the all-rounders, Andre Russell and Moeen Ali, in both pace and spin departments. 

Besides that, the young Vaibhav Arora might also be brought in as an impact player, replacing any specialist batter or vice versa. So, the defending champions will look ahead to going more cautious while approaching this game against PBKS, considering their defeat against the same opponent in a low-scoring affair when they met last time in the current season.

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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