Shreyas Iyer's journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a rollercoaster of emotions and performances, and in 2025, his determination to prove his worth is at its peak. After being left out of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad despite leading them to the title in IPL 2024, Iyer's confidence had certainly taken a hit, especially given his outstanding performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 IPL. However, he didn’t let setbacks define him and came back stronger in the domestic season, consistently piling up runs across formats. Iyer’s resilience and hunger for success were further displayed during the England series and the Champions Trophy, where he was one of India's star batters.
Now, as the captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2025, Iyer has not only been in sensational form but has also shown an aggressive approach, hitting sixes from ball one, whether facing spin or pace. His aggression on the field is evident in his leadership, which has rubbed off on the entire Punjab team. The Kings, often seen as a team of misfits, have shown great promise under Iyer's captaincy. Thanks to a solid start to the season with three wins from five games, PBKS is positioned in 6th place on the points table, despite a heavy defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The upcoming clash against KKR will be an opportunity for Iyer to make a statement as he goes up against his former team.
Iyer's leadership is further complemented by the presence of Ricky Ponting, his former coach at Delhi Capitals, who has worked wonders with the team. Ponting's mentorship has already begun to show positive results, but the team is still grappling with the underperformance of key players like Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell, one of Ponting's favorites, has had a disappointing start to the season with just over 30 runs and three wickets in five matches. This lack of impact has led commentator Simon Doull to suggest giving Josh Inglis, who had a stellar Champions Trophy, a chance in the playing XI. Doull also proposed introducing Azmatullah Omarzai, who can contribute both with the bat and the ball in the middle overs.
PBKS's bowling attack has also faced setbacks, with Lockie Ferguson being ruled out for the season due to injury. Replacing a bowler of Ferguson's caliber will be a challenge for the Kings, but they have options in Kuldeep Sen and Vijaykumar Vyshak. They could also consider playing Azmatullah Omarzai as a replacement. KKR, on the other hand, might bring in Spencer Johnson, known for his pace, to counter Punjab's aggressive batters, replacing Moeen Ali in the playing XI.
Historically, KKR leads the rivalry with PBKS 21-12, but recent form suggests that Punjab has the firepower to challenge them. PBKS has made strides in the season, and their batting line-up, led by Iyer's explosive approach, could prove to be a significant threat to KKR. With both teams having key players to watch out for, the match is expected to be a high-octane contest.
Team News and Predicted Playing XIs
For PBKS, the biggest concern is replacing Lockie Ferguson, and while they have options like Kuldeep Sen and Vijaykumar Vyshak, they might opt for Azmatullah Omarzai to strengthen both their batting and bowling departments. KKR, with a solid squad, might bring in Spencer Johnson to enhance their pace attack.
PBKS Predicted XI:
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Priyansh Arya
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Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
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Shreyas Iyer (c)
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Marcus Stoinis
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Nehal Wadhera
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Glenn Maxwell/Azmatullah Omarzai
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Shashank Singh
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Marco Jansen
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Arshdeep Singh
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Yuzvendra Chahal
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Vyshak Vijaykumar
Impact Sub: Glenn Maxwell
KKR Predicted XI:
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Sunil Narine
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Quinton de Kock (wk)
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Ajinkya Rahane (c)
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Angkrish Raghuvanshi
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Venkatesh Iyer
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Rinku Singh
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Andre Russell
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Ramandeep Singh
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Harshit Rana
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Spencer Johnson
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Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Sub: Vaibhav Arora
Top Fantasy Picks
For KKR:
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Sunil Narine
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Venkatesh Iyer
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Varun Chakaravarthy
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Spencer Johnson
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Quinton de Kock
For PBKS:
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Shreyas Iyer
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Arshdeep Singh
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Priyansh Arya
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Marco Jansen
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Vyshak Vijaykumar
Pitch and Weather Conditions: The conditions in Chandigarh are expected to be hot, as the region has seen a break in the rains. The pitch is anticipated to be sporting, providing assistance to both batters and bowlers. A target of around 210 is likely to be competitive, and whichever team adapts better to the conditions will have the upper hand.
Conclusion: With both teams looking to prove their strength in this exciting IPL season, PBKS's explosive batting under Shreyas Iyer and KKR’s balanced squad will set the stage for a thrilling contest. Fans can expect a high-scoring game with key players aiming to leave a mark on the match. Stay updated with the latest developments and enjoy the action as IPL 2025 unfolds!
