IPL PREVIEW: Skippers in Spotlight as PBKS Host KKR in Playoff-Defining Clash

As the IPL 2025 heats up, all eyes will be on the captains when Punjab Kings take on Kolkata Knight Riders in a key contest at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. With both teams tied on six points, the result could prove decisive in the race to the playoffs — and in the growing comparison between Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane.

Punjab Kings bowlers had a tough time against Sunrisers Hyderabad batters in their previous match in Hyderabad. They will be hoping to redeem themselves against Kolkata Knight Riders in their next match in New Chandigarh. @ BCCI

For PBKS, it's a match that comes with both pressure and promise. Star all-rounder Lockie Ferguson is likely out for the rest of the season due to injury, but bowling coach James Hopes remains cautiously optimistic.

Hopes admitted

Ferguson's out indefinitely, and we're getting him back by the end of the tournament is a very low percentage. I think he's done a real decent injury to himself.

The void left by Ferguson will be plugged by the likes of Xavier Bartlett, Azmatullah Omarzai and Vijaykumar Vyshak, with Yash Thakur expected to lead the fast-bowling effort.

“We're going to have to change our team up a bit… we'll have a good look at the wicket tonight,” Hopes said, adding that the bowling department “has to adapt” to different venues and conditions.

Meanwhile, KKR are coming off a strong win over Chennai Super Kings but are still finding rhythm post-Gautam Gambhir’s departure. Mentor Dwayne Bravo has stepped in, and all-rounder Ramandeep Singh acknowledged the transition.

“An individual like him (Gambhir), in any dressing room, you'll always miss him,” said Ramandeep, while praising Rahane's calming influence and Iyer’s confident leadership style. “To be honest, both of them are very good captains… But their game of play is different.”

This match also marks the first time Iyer will face the franchise he led to the 2024 IPL title. Since then, KKR have handed the reins to Rahane, making this a symbolic face-off — not just of teams, but leadership styles.

PBKS will be looking to bounce back after a high-scoring loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad, while KKR aim to build on their momentum. History favours the Knight Riders, who have won 21 of the 33 encounters against Punjab.

Probable XIs: Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur

Kolkata Knight Riders: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy