KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane may make one big change in overseas department to counter Shreyas Iyer threat

KKR vs PBKS Predicted Playing XI: Ajinkya Rahane may make one big change in overseas department to counter Shreyas Iyer threat
Shreyas Iyer of Punjab Kings and Ajinkya Rahane of Kolkata Knight Riders at coin toss as Javagal Srinath match referee looks on during the 2025 IPL at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Mohali on April 15, 2025.

Story Highlights:

Glenn Maxwell was impressive with the ball against KKR in previous clash.

Ajinkya Rahane may be inclined to play Anrich Nortje as an extra pacer.

There might be a toss-up between Harpreet Brar and Vijaykumar Vyshak.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are still holding on to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 playoffs hopes but only just. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side have been struggling as their key players are out of form. They were humbled at home by Gujarat Titans (GT) as their batters failed to get going once again. On the other hand, Punjab Kings (PBKS) have had a few hiccups. They were handed a comprehensive defeat by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at home. While the last time KKR and PBKS met, it was a low-scoring encounter, the story is expected to be different at Eden Gardens. 

PBKS may look to retain their winning combination despite the defeat at home. The last time they played KKR and defended the lowest score in the IPL history, Glenn Maxwell played a major role. If Maxwell walks into the side, Marcus Stoinis may have to sit out. With plenty left-handed batters in KKR side, Shreyas Iyer may not bring in Harpreet Brar and used Vijaykumar Vyshak as impact player. 

PBKS Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

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

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While Moeen Ali's economy rate is impressive, KKR may be in search for more pace and include Anrich Nortje in the side. Nortje was not expensive in his only game for KKR this season. If Harshit Rana does not get the better of skipper Shreyas, Rahane may look to use Nortje's pace against him. In the batting department, KKR may look to replace Ramandeep Singh with Luvnith Sisodia. Also, they are likely to give Rahmanullah Gurbaz another chance.

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KKR Predicted Playing XI plus impact player -

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Luvnith Sisodia, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje

KKR vs PBKS Weather and Pitch Report:

Weather is unlikely to play any spoilsport. The pitch may favour spinners but it will be a double-edged sword as PBKS have quality spinners as well, especially Yuzvendra Chahal. 

KKR vs PBKS Full Squad:

KKR squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Chetan Sakariya, Mayank Markande

PBKS squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Josh Inglis(w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Praveen Dubey, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kuldeep Sen, Harnoor Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash