KKR vs SRH: A Thrilling Clash Awaits – Pitch Report, Live Updates & Key Stats
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – IPL 2025, Match 15
The 15th match of IPL 2025 is set to take place in Kolkata, where Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the iconic Eden Gardens. Both teams, last season’s finalists, haven’t had the ideal start to their campaign and are desperate to get back on the winning track.
As the two sides gear up for this crucial encounter, KKR hopes to make the most of their home advantage, banking on familiar conditions and a favorable pitch. So far, both teams have played three matches each, securing just a single victory. With momentum at stake, let’s dive into the expected playing XIs, pitch conditions, and key stats ahead of this high-voltage clash.
Pitch Report: What to Expect at Eden Gardens?The Kolkata pitch for this game appears to have less grass than the previous match, leading to two possible scenarios. If the surface remains firm, expect good bounce for the pacers. However, if cracks develop, spinners could dominate the game. The latter seems more likely, which means slower bowlers might be the game-changers in this encounter.
Head-to-Head Record: KKR’s Dominance Over SRH
Last season, KKR and SRH faced off three times, including the final, and on all occasions, the Kolkata-based franchise emerged victorious. Historically, KKR has had the upper hand, winning 19 out of 28 encounters, while SRH has managed just 9 wins.
Key Battles to Watch
SRH’s Bowling Woes in the Powerplay
Sunrisers’ bowlers have been expensive in the powerplay, conceding runs at an economy of 11.4 – the worst among all teams this season.KKR’s Slow Batting Approach
KKR’s batting lineup, on the other hand, has been relatively slow, scoring at a run rate of 7.8 – second-lowest after Chennai Super Kings.
Mohammed Shami vs KKR’s Top Order
Despite playing at his home ground, Shami hasn’t been at his best this season. However, he has a strong record against KKR’s top order. He has dismissed Quinton de Kock three times in seven T20 innings and Sunil Narine once in four innings. If he regains form, he could pose a significant challenge to KKR’s openers.
Pat Cummins vs KKR Batters
While Ajinkya Rahane has struggled against Cummins, getting out once in three innings, de Kock has dominated him, striking at an impressive 192 SR in seven innings. Meanwhile, Cummins has dismissed Narine in both innings they’ve faced off in T20s.
KKR’s Middle-Order Struggles
KKR’s lower middle order has been underwhelming this season. Rinku Singh and Andre Russell haven’t found their rhythm yet, and they’ll have to face Harshal Patel, who has dismissed Russell twice in four innings and Rinku twice in three innings. That said, Rinku has still managed to score at a rapid 172 SR against Harshal.
Probable Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Sunil Narine*, 2. Quinton de Kock* (WK), 3. Ajinkya Rahane (C), 4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 5. Venkatesh Iyer, 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Andre Russell*, 8. Ramandeep Singh, 9. Harshit Rana, 10. Spencer Johnson*, 11. Varun Chakravarthy, 12. Vaibhav Arora.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Travis Head, 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5. Abhinav Manohar, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Aniket Verma, 8. Pat Cummins (C), 9. Zeeshan Ansari, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Harshal Patel, 12. Adam Zampa.
As both teams look to bounce back from their slow start, expect a thrilling contest under the lights at Eden Gardens. Will KKR continue their dominance over SRH, or will Hyderabad turn the tide? The battle is on!