IPL Match Today, KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Fantasy Cricket Tips

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will play with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Eden Gardens 44th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Both teams lost their previous games

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is getting exciting! Today’s big match is between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the famous Eden Gardens. Let’s look at the fantasy cricket tips, playing XI, and the pitch report for today’s match.

Match Details

• Match: KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2025
• Date: 26 April 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

The pitch at Eden Gardens usually helps batters in the first half. In the second innings, spinners and fast bowlers can get help due to the evening moisture. A high-scoring match is likely, but chasing can also be tricky under lights.

• Batting-friendly surface
• Spinners might come into play later
• Ideal score: 180+ runs

KKR vs PBKS Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches: 32
• KKR Wins: 20
• PBKS Wins: 12

KKR has a strong record against PBKS, especially at Eden Gardens.

KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025: Probable Playing XI

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Possible XI:

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK),
• Sunil Narine,
• Ajinkya Rahane (C),
• Angkrish Raghuvanshi,
• Venkatesh Iyer,
• Rinku Singh,
• Andre Russell,
• Moeen Ali/Rovman Powell,
• Ramandeep Singh,
• Varun Chakaravarthy,
• Harshit Rana,
• Vaibhav Arora

Punjab Kings (PBKS) Possible XI:

• Prabhsimran Singh,
• Priyansh Arya,
• Shreyas Iyer (c),
• Josh Inglis (wk),
• Nehal Wadhera,
• Shashank Singh,
• Marcus Stoinis,
• Marco Jansen,
• Xavier Bartlett,
• Arshdeep Singh,
• Yuzvendra Chahal,
• Harpreet Brar/Vyshak Vijaykumar

(Note: Final XI will be confirmed after the toss.)

KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Prediction – Best Player Selections

Moeen Ali (KKR):

• Moeen Ali has accumulated 66 runs across three innings at Eden Gardens, maintaining an average of 22 and an impressive strike rate of 206.25. He’s also taken a wicket here.
• Interestingly, Moeen struggles a bit against left-handed batters this season (average: 8.33). With Punjab featuring two left-handers in their top order, he could capitalize.
• The pitch in Kolkata generally supports spin, boosting Moeen’s bowling impact. His current bowling rhythm has been satisfactory.
• Against PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, Moeen has a strike rate of 145.23 despite being dismissed twice.
• Moeen Ali’s last five batting scores: 0, 5, 17, 0, 14; Last five bowling figures: 0/27, 1/20, 2/23, 0/29, 1/19.

Varun Chakravarthy (KKR):

• At Eden Gardens, Varun has taken 28 wickets with a bowling average of 23.64 and an excellent strike rate of 16.42 from 20 outings, including one four-wicket haul.
• In IPL 2025, all ten of his wickets have come against right-handers, and with Punjab’s batting lineup packed with them, Varun could be a major threat.
• Notably, he has dismissed Marcus Stoinis twice and sent back Shreyas Iyer and Josh Inglis once each.
• Varun’s last five bowling returns: 0/33, 2/21, 2/22, 0/31, 3/22.

Prabhsimran Singh (PBKS):

• In Kolkata, Prabhsimran has scored 142 runs at an average of 28.40 and a blazing strike rate of 177.50 from five innings, including two half-centuries.
• He opens the innings and can take advantage of KKR’s not-so-threatening new-ball attack.
• In the 2025 season’s powerplay phase, he averages 46 and strikes at 176.92 — a rapid starter.
• He has performed against most KKR bowlers except Harshit Rana, who dismissed him twice in just 12 deliveries.
• Prabhsimran’s last five innings: 33, 13, 30, 42, 0.

Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS):

• Chahal’s Eden Gardens record includes 13 wickets in 13 innings with an average of 34 and a strike rate of 23, including a four-wicket burst.
• He has enjoyed success against several KKR batters, dismissing Rahane four times, and Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh twice each, among others.
• Kolkata’s deck offers turn, aiding Chahal’s cause, especially against right-handers, whom KKR has plenty of.
• Chahal’s recent bowling figures: 1/36, 2/11, 4/28, 1/56, 0/9.

Top Dream11 Captaincy and Vice-Captaincy Options for KKR vs PBKS

Sunil Narine (KKR):

• At Eden Gardens, Narine has hammered 675 runs (average 17.75, strike rate 165.07) and grabbed 72 wickets (average 21.22, strike rate 19.63) across 62 games.
• Apart from Marco Jansen, Narine has held his own against Punjab bowlers. With favorable batting conditions early on, he can maximize the powerplay.
• Narine is effective against both right- and left-handed batters and should find grip from the surface.
• Expect Narine to open the batting and bowl during the middle overs, a perfect dual-threat.
• Narine’s latest five batting scores: 17, 5, 44, 30, 7; Recent bowling numbers: 0/36, 2/14, 3/13, 0/38, 1/30.

Ajinkya Rahane (KKR):

• Rahane’s Eden Gardens stats boast 463 runs at 25.72 average and a strike rate of 134.59, including four fifties from 19 innings.
• He’s been KKR’s most dependable batter this season but has shown vulnerability against spinners (averaging just 20).
• Chahal has dismissed Rahane four times in 45 balls, and Arshdeep Singh has taken him out twice as well — something to consider for fantasy team selections.
• Rahane’s last five knocks: 50, 17, 20*, 61, 38.

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS):

• Iyer has tallied 461 runs at an average of 30.73 with a 134.40 strike rate from 17 innings at this venue, alongside two fifties.
• Having captained KKR previously, Iyer knows this ground inside out. His recent form suggests he’s ready to anchor the innings.
• In IPL 2025, he has a strike rate of 174.13 against spin without getting dismissed, making him vital for PBKS against KKR’s spinners.
• Although Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy have each removed him once, Iyer has batted comfortably against them.
• Shreyas’ last five innings: 6, 7, 0, 82, 9.

Risky Player to Skip for KKR vs PBKS Dream11 Teams

Josh Inglis (PBKS):

• Inglis has had a shaky season, with flashes of brilliance but largely inconsistent showings.
• Middle-order exposure to KKR’s spinners like Varun and Narine could be troublesome for him.
• His 2025 stats against spin show a strike rate of just 121.73, with two dismissals to spin already — a big risk for fantasy players.
• Inglis’ last five innings: 29, 14, 2, 4, 49.

KKR vs PBKS Fantasy Cricket Tips

Captain and Vice-Captain Choices:

• Captain: Andre Russell,
• Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer

Differential Picks:

• Varun Chakravarthy (for wickets)
• Josh Inglis (as budget wicketkeeper)

Key Strategies for Today’s Fantasy Match

• Pick 6 players from the team batting first.
• Prefer all-rounders like Russell and Curran.
• Include 2-3 spinners considering Eden Gardens’ evening conditions.
• Keep an eye on the toss update for better team selection.

Final Thoughts

The KKR vs PBKS match today promises a lot of entertainment. KKR will have home advantage, but PBKS has strong firepower. Choose your fantasy team wisely based on the pitch conditions and toss updates.

Good luck with your fantasy team!