Kolkata Knight Riders will face Punjab Kings in the 44th match of IPL 2025 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a venue that has witnessed some extraordinary contests between these two teams. This clash comes with historical significance – in their last meeting this season, PBKS created IPL history by defending the lowest total ever (111) against KKR, while in their previous encounter at Eden Gardens, PBKS pulled off the highest successful chase in IPL history (262).
Both teams have had contrasting fortunes this season, with KKR securing three wins from eight matches while PBKS have managed five victories from eight games. The unpredictable nature of this rivalry makes this encounter particularly exciting for fantasy cricket enthusiasts.
In this article, you’ll find all the essential tips, including pitch insights, player form, and head-to-head matchups, to help you create a well-balanced Dream11 team and boost your chances of scoring a fantasy win.
KKR vs PBKS – Match Details
Let’s take a look at the match timings and venue details for the KKR vs PBKS clash:
| Match 44 | KKR vs PBKS |
|---|---|
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Date | Saturday, April 26, 2025 |
| Time | 7:30 PM (IST) |
Pitch Report KKR vs PBKS
Here’s a look at the pitch conditions and overall environment for this match:
| Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly |
|---|---|
| Highest IPL Score | 232/2 by KKR vs PBKS (2018) |
| Best Suited for | Power-hitting |
| Winning Percentage | 65% (Home team) |
The Eden Gardens has traditionally been a good batting wicket with true bounce and good carry. The pitch provides assistance to both batsmen and bowlers, though teams batting first have shown a preference for setting targets. The boundaries are relatively shorter than other Indian grounds, allowing batsmen to score freely. Spinners often come into play in the middle overs, with the pitch showing slight turn as the game progresses.
KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Predicted 11
Here is the ideal Dream11 fantasy team from both squads, with insights on player selections and their impact on the game:
| Position | Player | Team | Team Role | Why Pick? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captain (C) | Yuzvendra Chahal | PBKS | Bowler | 4/28 in the famous 111 defense |
| Vice Captain (VC) | Sunil Narine | KKR | All-rounder | 34 wickets in KKR vs PBKS history |
| Wicketkeeper 1 | Quinton de Kock | KKR | WK | Consistent performer at the top |
| Batter 1 | Shreyas Iyer | PBKS | Batter | Captain’s form and leadership |
| Batter 2 | Rinku Singh | KKR | Batter | Reliable middle-order finisher |
| Batter 3 | Priyansh Arya | PBKS | Batter | In form with 103(42) vs CSK |
| All-rounder 1 | Andre Russell | KKR | All-rounder | 432 runs in KKR vs PBKS history |
| All-rounder 2 | Marcus Stoinis | PBKS | All-rounder | All-round capabilities |
| Bowler 1 | Marco Jansen | PBKS | Bowler | 3/17 in the 111 defense game |
| Bowler 2 | Vaibhav Arora | KKR | Bowler | Powerplay wicket-taker |
| Bowler 3 | Harshit Rana | KKR | Bowler | 3/25 in the 111 game |
Kolkata Knight Riders Predicted 11
If they Bat first:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Vaibhav Arora
If they Bowl first:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Moeen Ali
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Vaibhav Arora
Punjab Kings Predicted 11
If they Bat first:
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Priyansh Arya
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Lockie Ferguson
- Yuzvendra Chahal
If they Bowl first:
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Priyansh Arya
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Marcus Stoinis
- Harpreet Brar
- Marco Jansen
- Arshdeep Singh
- Lockie Ferguson
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Note: These are the predicted team lineups for both teams. As official lineups are shared for both teams, please adjust your teams accordingly for better results.
Head to Head stats – KKR vs PBKS
Here is a quick look at the overall stats from their head-to-head matches:
| Total Matches Played | 33 |
|---|---|
| KKR wins | 21 |
| PBKS Wins | 12 |
| No Result | 0 |
Kolkata Knight Riders have traditionally dominated this rivalry, winning 21 of their 33 encounters. However, recent matches have produced some of the most remarkable contests in IPL history – from PBKS achieving the highest successful chase (262) to defending the lowest total ever (111) against KKR just days ago. This unpredictability makes the fixture even more exciting for fantasy cricket.
Recent Matches:
- April 15, 2025 – PBKS won by 16 runs (defended 111)
- April 26, 2024 – PBKS won by 8 wickets (chased 261)
- May 8, 2023 – KKR won by 3 runs
- April 1, 2023 – PBKS won by 7 wickets (DLS method)
- April 1, 2022 – KKR won by 6 wickets
KKR and PBKS SQUADS FOR IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders have built a balanced squad with a mix of experienced campaigners and young talents. Under Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership, they’ve shown glimpses of brilliance but suffered a shocking defeat in their last match against PBKS. They’ll be eager to bounce back and avenge that loss.
Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer, have been one of the most impressive teams this season with five wins from eight matches. Their ability to defend 111 against KKR demonstrated their fighting spirit and tactical acumen, particularly through Yuzvendra Chahal’s match-winning performance.
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad
Batters – Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane ©
Fast-bowling all-rounders – Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Rovman Powell, Venkatesh Iyer
Spin-bowling all-rounders – Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali
Wicketkeepers – Quinton De Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Luvnith Sisodia
Pacers – Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Umran Malik
Spinners – Varun Chakaravarthy, Mayank Markande
Punjab Kings Squad
Batters – Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash, Shreyas Iyer (c), Nehal Wadhera, Harnoor Singh
Fast-bowling all-rounders – Azmatullah Omarzai, Aaron Hardie
Spin-bowling all-rounders – Shashank Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Harpreet Brar, Pravin Dubey, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Priyansh Arya
Wicketkeepers – Prabhsimran Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Josh Inglis
Pacers – Yash Thakur, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Kuldeep Sen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson
Spinners – Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen
Top Picks For Dream 11 Squad
1. Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS)
The leg-spinner wrote himself into IPL history with his match-winning 4-0-28-4 against KKR in their previous encounter, helping PBKS defend just 111. His ability to turn the ball and maintain pressure with attacking fields makes him an ideal captaincy choice, especially after such a confidence-boosting performance against the same opposition.
2. Andre Russell (KKR)
The West Indian powerhouse has an exceptional record against Punjab Kings with 432 runs and 14 wickets in their previous encounters. Despite failing to chase down 112 in their last meeting, Russell’s ability to change the game with both bat and ball makes him a strong vice-captaincy option, especially with KKR needing to prove themselves after that shocking defeat.
3. Sunil Narine (KKR)
The veteran all-rounder has been KKR’s go-to player with 34 wickets against PBKS, making him the most successful bowler in this rivalry. Narine’s pinch-hitting abilities at the top of the order and his economical bowling make him a dual-threat for fantasy points. His experience at Eden Gardens adds further value to his selection.
4. Priyansh Arya (PBKS)
The young sensation has taken IPL 2025 by storm with his explosive batting, including a remarkable 103 off 42 balls against CSK. After scoring 22 in the low-scoring thriller against KKR, he’ll be eager to make a bigger impact this time. His fearless approach makes him a high-ceiling fantasy pick.
5. Marco Jansen (PBKS)
The South African all-rounder was instrumental in PBKS’s historic defense of 111, claiming 3/17 including the crucial wicket of Andre Russell. His ability to bowl crucial overs and contribute with the bat makes him a valuable fantasy asset, especially after proving his mettle against the same opposition.
6. Harshit Rana (KKR)
Despite being on the losing side, Rana impressed with figures of 3/25 in the low-scoring thriller against PBKS. His ability to pick wickets with the new ball and bowl at the death makes him a worthy inclusion in your Dream11 team.
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Conclusion: High Stakes Rematch at Eden Gardens!
Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings are set to deliver another thrilling encounter at Eden Gardens, with KKR seeking revenge for their embarrassing defeat and PBKS looking to maintain their momentum. The psychological advantage clearly lies with PBKS after their historic defense of 111, making this fixture particularly intriguing for Dream11 fantasy enthusiasts.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Andre Russell emerge as prime captaincy choices due to their recent form and historical performances in this fixture. Among specialist batsmen, Priyansh Arya’s current form makes him an attractive option, while bowlers like Marco Jansen and Harshit Rana could prove crucial based on their previous encounter.
Remember to check the toss result, as teams batting first have enjoyed success at Eden Gardens. A well-balanced team featuring heroes from the previous low-scoring thriller and power-hitters who can capitalize on the Eden Gardens pitch could be your formula for fantasy success in this high-stakes rematch!
