An inconsistent Kolkata Knight Riders visit Mullanpur on Tuesday to take on a bruised Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League 2025 as both sides aim to break out of the mid-table muddle. (Match Blog | Full Coverage | Points Table | Cricket News)
Both KKR and PBKS have three wins and two losses each in their first five games and a win could help them climb up in the table. KKR come into the game on the back of a confidence-boosting eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings. PBKS, on the other hand, failed to defend a 245-run target and lost to SunRisers Hyderabad in a spectacular fashion.
As both teams try to rise up from the middle of the table, here are three key battles that will decide the course of this game.
Shreyas Iyer vs Varun Chakravarthy
Iyer moved to PBKS this season after leading KKR to the trophy last year. He will have a lot to prove against his former team and with his stunning form, he will once again be ready to take the KKR bowling attack to the cleaners. But the PBKS captain will have to take on Varun Chakravarthy if he wants to continue his good form.
Iyer's aggression up against Chakravarathy's guile. An interesting contest awaits.
Sunil Narine vs Arshdeep Singh
Narine has not quite got the kind of start he would have wanted with bat in this tournament. However, that would not mean he would take it slow in the powerplay. He will continue his attack and in front of him with the new ball will be Arshdeep Singh.
The left-arm pacer has just one wicket in 10 powerplay overs so far in this season and he would be eager to change that record. Only one of Narine and Arshdeep will be able to give their team the start they want? Whoever wins this battle will help his team win the powerplay.
Priyansh Arya vs Vaibhav Arora
No one this season has scored quicker than Priyansh Arya who has emerged as an absolute sensation for PBKS. In KKR, another powerplay sensation is threatening to emerge as a top bowler, Vaibhav Arora. The medium pacer can swing the ball in and out at his will and will prove to be a tough challenge for Arya. Will Arya prevail or Arora get the dangerous youngster? A lot rides on this match-up.
