PBKS vs KKR Live Score, IPL 2025: Iyer vs Rahane in Chandigarh

Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings, still reeling from the shock of a record-breaking defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad, face a daunting challenge in the form of Kolkata Knight Riders at the New PCA Stadium in Chandigarh. The Kings, having posted a mammoth 245, were left stunned by Abhishek Sharma's explosive 141 off just 55 balls, a knock that resembled a "tornado" ripping through their bowling attack. Captain Shreyas Iyer, despite his own valiant 82, could only manage a wry smile as his bowlers were dismantled on the flat, unforgiving pitch of Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Now, Punjab returns to their home ground in Mullanpur, where the pitch has also proven to be a batter's paradise, with both previous matches yielding scores exceeding 200. This presents a significant dilemma for the team management: what conditions will best serve their chances against a formidable KKR? The bowling unit, particularly the spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Glenn Maxwell, who conceded a combined 96 runs in seven overs, must be suffering from a severe dent in confidence.

The prospect of another flat track raises the specter of another high-scoring encounter, a scenario that could easily favor KKR's powerful batting lineup, featuring the likes of Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, and Venkatesh Iyer. Punjab's overall bowling economy is a cause for serious concern, with none of their bowlers managing an economy rate below nine runs per over. Chahal, usually a reliable performer, has been particularly expensive, conceding 11.13 runs per over and picking up only two wickets in five matches. His strategy of bowling wide, loopy leg-breaks has proven ineffective.

However, opting for a spin-friendly pitch with uneven bounce could also backfire. KKR boasts the likes of Varun Chakravarthy, a master of such conditions, and Sunil Narine, who remains a potent threat even in his twilight years. KKR's versatility allows them to thrive on any surface, a fact underscored by their dominant victory over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.

Punjab's batting, while heavily reliant on captain Iyer's consistent form, has shown glimpses of brilliance. Priyansh Arya has emerged as a revelation, and the contributions of Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, and Shashank Singh provide much-needed solidity. However, the team's Achilles' heel lies in the underperformance of their Australian overseas recruits, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Their meager contributions with the bat have placed undue pressure on the Indian contingent. Facing KKR's spin duo of Chakravarthy and Narine will be a stern test for the Australians. Additionally, Marco Jansen's expensive bowling spells have added to Punjab's woes. The Kings must find a way to shore up their bowling and extract more from their overseas stars if they hope to overcome the challenge posed by a confident and well-balanced Kolkata Knight Riders.