Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to face rivals Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 44 of the IPL 2025 season at the Eden Gardens on Saturday, April 26. The crunch clash promises aplenty as both teams eye a crucial mid-season boost. Ajinkya Rahane-led Kolkata Knight Riders have had a poor campaign so far, managing just 3 wins in 8 games. The defending champions are currently placed seventh in IPL 2025 points table. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer’s Punjab Kings are placed fifth with 5 wins and 3 defeats. It’s a good chance for them to tighten their grip on a playoff berth.

The two sides have met on 34 occasions. KKR have claimed 21 of the 34 encounters, while PBKS have won 13 times. Earlier this season, Punjab defended a mere 111 runs against KKR in Mullanpur, the lowest total ever defended in IPL history.

KKR need to churn out a series of wins to make the table turn as they enter a vital period. A defeat would virtually end their hopes of a playoff. PBKS are very much in the race for a top-4 finish. They have shown a lot of pedigree under Iyer and the latter will want to complete the double over KKR in his first season for the franchise.

Here are the 5 key player battles from this contest.

Yuzvendra Chahal vs Ajinkya Rahane

After a poor start in the IPL 2025 season, Yuzvendra Chahal has found his feet in the last few games. Notably, Chahal had floored KKR in the two sides’ meetings earlier this season, taking 4 scalps. And now, he will be aiming to continue from where he left off. Chahal will be hopeful of dismissing Ajinkya Rahane, who has been one of the few players for KKR to score runs consistently. Across 10 IPL innings, Rahane averages 11.50 versus Chahal, scoring 46 runs off 45 balls. His strike rate is 102.22. Rahane has faced a total of 14 dot balls off Chahal. Leg-spinner Chahal has 9 wickets this season at 26.88. Rahane owns 271 runs from 8 matches at 38.71. He has three fifties.

Arshdeep Singh vs Sunil Narine

PBKS pacer Arshdeep Singh will want to start well against Kolkata Knight Riders and mix his offerings well. Arshdeep will target KKR’s opener Sunil Narine, who has’t fired as expected with the willow. Across 4 innings, Narine has scored 21 runs off 12 balls with his strike rate being 175. He owns one dismissal in this regard. As per ESPNcricinfo, Arshdeep has 32 wickets inside the power play overs (1-6). He averages 31.87 with his economy rate being 8.5-plus. Narine owns 1045 runs at 23.40. Across 65 innings, he has been dismissed 45 times. His strike rate is 170.38.

Harshit Rana vs Prabhsimran Singh

KKR pacer Harshit Rana will be keen to make things count with his wicket-taking credentials. In 8 matches, he has 11 wickets this season at 22.54. The right-arm pacer will target the wicket of Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh. Across 3 IPL innings, Rana has accounted for 2 dismissals against Prabhsimran. The batter averages 12.50. He owns 25 runs from 12 balls, striking at 208.33. He has faced 7 dot balls and has smashed Rana for 4 IPL sixes. Across 25 T20 innings in the power play, Rana averages 25.50 and owns 14 dismissals. Singh has belted 808 runs in the PP overs (T20s) at 29.92. His strike rate is 149.07.

Sunil Narine vs Shreyas Iyer

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer has done an able job this season, having amassed 263 runs from 8 matches at a strike rate of 185.21. His battle with KKR ace spinner Sunil Narine would be enticing. Iyer is known for his dominance in the middle overs and plays spin well. Iyer will want to keep his former teammate at bay at Eden Gardens. Narine has dismissed Iyer once across eight IPL innings while conceding 42 runs off 35 balls. Iyer has smashed 2 4s and 2 sixes. His strike rate is a modest 120. He has faced 9 dot balls in this duel. IPL 2025 has seen Narine take 7 scalps from 7 matches at 27.14.

Priyansh Arya vs Vaibhav Arora

PBKS opener Priyansh Arya has done well with his fiery batting at the top. The uncapped Indian owns a strike rate of 201.58 in what is his debut season. Notably, the southpaw’s strike rate is 199 in the first six overs. KKR pacer Vaibhav Arora, who will bowl with the new ball, will have his task cut out against Arya. Arora has claimed 9 wickets this season in the IPL at 26.66. His economy rate is 9.41. In the lone encounter between the sides this season, Arora conceded 8 runs off 7 balls against Arya, without dismissing the youngster. Arya faced three dot balls and hit a solitary four in addition to a single and a two.