As the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) inches closer to the playoffs, every match carries greater significance. Match 44 brings us a compelling contest between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), two teams who find themselves in very different positions on the points table despite having played the same number of games.
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Journeys So Far For Both Teams
Both KKR and PBKS have completed eight matches this season. But while PBKS have managed to bag five wins, KKR have been on the losing end in five of their games, securing just three victories. That four-point difference places Punjab Kings at fifth on the table, firmly in the playoff hunt, while KKR languish in seventh, with their margin for error shrinking fast.
Both Teams Reeling From Defeats
Both sides come into this fixture on the back of defeats. Punjab Kings were outclassed by Royal Challengers Bangalore at Mullanpur, losing by seven wickets. Despite a flying start from the openers, PBKS were undone by the RCB spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma. Their struggles were compounded in the death overs, managing a below-par total. In response, RCB lost Phil Salt early, but Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal made light work of the chase to seal two crucial points.
Also Read: IPL 2025 Dream Fantasy Team: Here’s The Probable Playing XI Between KKR And PBKS
Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, were dealt a heavy blow at home by Gujarat Titans. Half-centuries from Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, followed by fireworks from Jos Buttler, propelled GT to a commanding total. Although Ajinkya Rahane fought hard with a fifty during KKR’s chase, Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan dismantled the middle order to hand GT a comprehensive win.
Flashback Of Last Encounter
This upcoming clash is a return fixture, as is customary in the second half of the IPL. The last meeting between these two teams, played at Mullanpur, was a dramatic low-scoring affair. KKR had bowled PBKS out for just 111 – the lowest total ever defended in IPL history. Harshit Rana set the tone with three early wickets in the powerplay, and the rest of the bowling unit backed him up brilliantly. Despite the modest target, PBKS showed nerves of steel and pulled off a sensational defense, scripting a memorable jailbreak.
Player Milestones To Watch Out For
The match also promises several personal milestones for key players from both sides:
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Ajinkya Rahane is just 87 runs away from reaching the coveted 5,000-run mark in IPL.
Varun Chakravarthy is two wickets short of completing 150 wickets in T20 cricket.
Andre Russell is on the cusp of several landmarks,19 runs away from 2,500 IPL runs for KKR, 11 runs short of 1,000 IPL runs at Kolkata, and needs 44 runs to become KKR’s highest run-scorer against PBKS.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Josh Inglis requires 85 runs to complete 3,500 runs in T20s.
Prabhsimran Singh is 35 runs away from his 1,000-run milestone in IPL.
Glenn Maxwell needs 54 runs to become PBKS’ top scorer against KKR in the IPL.
Marcus Stoinis is 67 runs short of the 2,000-run mark in IPL.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Massive News For KKR! Speedster Umran Malik Returns To The Side
