KKR vs PBKS – Toss Update, Playing XI and Match Prediction

Check out the playing XI, toss result, pitch report, and match prediction for today’s KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 clash. Stay updated with key match insights and expert analysis.

The playoff race in IPL 2025 is heating up fast. Just two points separate Gujarat Titans at the top from Lucknow Super Giants in sixth, and right in the thick of it are Punjab Kings. PBKS currently sit fifth with 10 points — and crucially, they’ve played one fewer game than most of their rivals. That makes tonight’s clash against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders absolutely huge. A win could catapult Punjab all the way up to third place. If they needed any extra motivation, there it is. With the tournament now deep into its crunch phase, every win feels like striking gold. Beating the reigning champs would be a massive statement — and for Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to the title last season and now captains PBKS, it would feel even sweeter. 

But don’t expect KKR to make it easy. They might be a little off the pace with six points from eight matches, but they’re still firmly in the playoff picture. A win tonight would close the gap and breathe life back into their campaign. Plus, there’s unfinished business. Punjab handed KKR one of their most embarrassing defeats earlier this season, bowling them out for just 95 while defending 112 — the lowest unchased target in IPL history. KKR will be desperate to right that wrong. If they want to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot, tonight is a must-win.  

KKR vs PBKS Toss Update 

Punjab Kings have won the toss and chose to bowl first.

KKR vs PBKS Starting XI 

Both teams have a strong squad, and their Playing 11 is expected to feature some of the best names in world cricket. Here's a look at the possible lineups for KKR and PBKS: 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Sunil Narine, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Rovman Powell, Chetan Sakariya, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy   

Impact Players: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Moeen Ali 

Punjab Kings (PBKS): Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh(w), Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal   

Impact Sub: Praveen Dubey, Vijaykumar Vaishak, Harpreet Brar

KKR vs PBKS Match Prediction 

As both teams have solid squads, predicting a winner in today’s match is difficult, but here’s how it might unfold:   

Match Prediction: Tonight might not be a do-or-die clash for Kolkata Knight Riders, but a loss would definitely make their playoff hopes a lot more complicated. Sitting on six points from eight games, KKR still have a mathematical shot at 18 points if they somehow win all their remaining matches — but let’s be honest, that’s a tall order. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings come into this match riding some solid momentum, having won three of their last five games. One of those wins was that crushing victory over KKR in Mullanpur — a result the Knight Riders would love to set right. 

However, KKR’s batting has been patchy at best, and unless their top order finds some form, it’s hard to see them having an easy night. Right now, PBKS look like the more settled, confident side — and if they keep playing the way they have been, they’ll fancy their chances of doing the double over KKR.