Hey there, cricket fans! If you’re as excited about the Indian Premier League (IPL) as I am, you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re diving into the exciting clash between Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Scorecard from the 31st match of IPL 2025, played on April 15, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. This match was a nail-biter, and I’m here to break it all down for you in a way that’s easy to follow, whether you’re a lifelong cricket lover or just getting into the game. We’ll go through the match details, key moments, standout performances, and, of course, a full scorecard table to make sense of it all. So, grab a cup of tea or a cold drink, and let’s relive this epic encounter!
The Build-Up: Two Teams Hungry for Victory
The IPL is always a rollercoaster, and by April 2025, both Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Scorecardwere in the thick of the playoff race. PBKS, led by the calm and composed Shreyas Iyer, were coming off a strong season with four wins in six games, sitting pretty at fourth in the points table. Their batting was firing, thanks to explosive openers like Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, and their bowling attack, spearheaded by Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh, was hitting all the right notes.
KKR, on the other hand, were struggling to find their rhythm. The defending champions, captained by Ajinkya Rahane, were languishing in sixth place with just three wins from eight games. Their batting relied heavily on Sunil Narine and Venkatesh Iyer, but their bowling unit was a bit inconsistent. With the Eden Gardens faithful cheering them on, KKR were desperate for a win to keep their title defense alive. The stage was set for a classic IPL showdown!
The Match: A Low-Scoring Thriller
The match in Mullanpur was a departure from the high-scoring run-fests we often see in the IPL. The pitch offered something for the bowlers, especially the spinners, and both teams had to dig deep to outsmart each other. Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that raised some eyebrows given the bowler-friendly conditions. Let’s break down how the game unfolded.
Punjab Kings’ Batting: A Collapse Under Pressure
Punjab Kings started with their usual opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh. The duo got off to a decent start, reaching 50 runs in just 5.4 overs without losing a wicket. Arya, known for his aggressive strokeplay, was looking good, but KKR’s bowlers, led by Harshit Rana, had other plans. Rana struck early, removing Arya and triggering a mini-collapse.
The middle order, including big names like Glenn Maxwell and Shreyas Iyer, struggled to cope with KKR’s disciplined bowling. Maxwell, who was subbed in for Marcus Stoinis, managed just 7 runs before falling to a clever slower ball. By the strategic timeout at 8.4 overs, PBKS were in trouble at 74/5. Shashank Singh and Xavier Bartlett tried to stabilize the innings, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
KKR’s bowlers were relentless. Harshit Rana was the star, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for a handful of runs, while Vaibhav Arora and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. A key moment came at 15.1 overs when Shashank Singh’s review for a wicket was struck down, leaving PBKS reeling. By the end of their 20 overs, Punjab Kings were bowled out for a modest 111 runs in 15.3 overs, with Arshdeep Singh stranded on 1. It was a total that seemed underwhelming, but on a tricky pitch, it wasn’t entirely out of the game.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Chase: A Dramatic Capitulation
Chasing 112 runs for victory, KKR would’ve fancied their chances. The target was small, but the pitch was still offering turn and bounce, and PBKS had a potent bowling attack. KKR opened with Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but the chase got off to a disastrous start.
Yuzvendra Chahal, PBKS’s ace spinner, turned the game on its head. Bowling with guile and variation, Chahal ripped through KKR’s top order, finishing with a sensational 4 wickets. His spell in the middle overs was a masterclass, as he varied his pace and used the pitch’s grip to outfox the batters. Arshdeep Singh complemented Chahal beautifully, picking up key wickets, including Vaibhav Arora, with a well-directed bouncer that was gloved to the keeper.
KKR’s batters struggled to find any rhythm. Andre Russell, known for his explosive hitting, couldn’t get going, and the pressure mounted as wickets tumbled. By the time the dust settled, KKR were bowled out for just 95 runs, handing Punjab Kings a 16-run victory. It was a stunning result, especially considering KKR’s reputation for chasing down totals.
Key Moments That Defined the Match
- Harshit Rana’s Bowling Spell: Rana’s three wickets, including the early dismissal of Priyansh Arya, set the tone for KKR’s dominance with the ball. His ability to mix pace and slower deliveries kept PBKS guessing.
- Yuzvendra Chahal’s Match-Winning Performance: Chahal’s four-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to turn the ball sharply and vary his pace was crucial in defending a low total.
- PBKS’s Resilience: Despite being bowled out for 111, Punjab Kings never lost hope. Their bowlers, led by Chahal and Arshdeep, bowled with discipline and belief, proving that no total is too small to defend in the IPL.
- KKR’s Batting Collapse: KKR’s inability to handle spin was their downfall. Losing wickets in clusters during the middle overs derailed their chase, and they never recovered.
Standout Performers
- Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS): The leg-spinner’s 4 wickets were the difference-maker. His confidence and skill shone through, especially after a tough previous game where he’d gone for 56 runs in 4 overs. His ability to bounce back was inspiring.
- Harshit Rana (KKR): Despite the loss, Rana’s bowling was a bright spot for KKR. His three wickets kept PBKS to a low total and gave his team a fighting chance.
- Priyansh Arya (PBKS): Although he couldn’t convert his start, Arya’s aggressive approach in the powerplay gave PBKS a platform to build on.
The Scorecard: A Detailed Look
Below is the full scorecard for the match, laid out clearly so you can see exactly how things played out.
Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Scorecard: IPL 2025 Match 31
Match Details
-
Date: April 15, 2025
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Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh
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Toss: Punjab Kings won the toss and elected to bat
-
Result: Punjab Kings won by 16 runs
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Player of the Match: Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS) – 4 wickets
Punjab Kings Innings
Total: 111/10 (15.3 overs)
|
Batsman |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Priyansh Arya |
c Rahane b Rana |
36 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 150.00 |
|
Prabhsimran Singh |
c Gurbaz b Arora |
14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 116.67 |
|
Shreyas Iyer (c) |
b Chakaravarthy |
5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
|
Josh Inglis (wk) |
c Russell b Rana |
8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
|
Nehal Wadhera |
lbw b Narine |
6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Glenn Maxwell |
c Rinku b Rana |
7 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 77.78 |
|
Shashank Singh |
lbw b Chakaravarthy |
17 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 130.77 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
c Narine b Arora |
4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Marco Jansen |
b Russell |
3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
|
Xavier Bartlett |
run out (Rinku) |
6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
|
Arshdeep Singh |
not out |
1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
|
Extras |
(B: 0, LB: 3, NB: 0, WD: 2) |
5 | ||||
|
Total |
111 | 93 | 11 | 1 |
Fall of Wickets:
1-50 (Prabhsimran, 5.4 ov), 2-56 (Arya, 6.3 ov), 3-64 (Iyer, 7.5 ov), 4-72 (Inglis, 8.2 ov), 5-74 (Wadhera, 8.4 ov), 6-80 (Maxwell, 10.1 ov), 7-90 (Omarzai, 11.5 ov), 8-95 (Jansen, 12.4 ov), 9-104 (Bartlett, 14.2 ov), 10-111 (Shashank, 15.3 ov)
Bowling
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vaibhav Arora |
3 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 6.67 |
|
Harshit Rana |
4 | 0 | 22 | 3 | 5.50 |
|
Varun Chakaravarthy |
3.3 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 7.14 |
|
Sunil Narine |
3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 6.00 |
|
Andre Russell |
2 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 11.50 |
Kolkata Knight Riders Innings
Target: 112 runs
Total: 95/10 (17.2 overs)
|
Batsman |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sunil Narine |
b Chahal |
4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
c Inglis b Arshdeep |
5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
|
Ajinkya Rahane (c) |
lbw b Chahal |
12 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
|
Venkatesh Iyer |
c Shashank b Chahal |
10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
|
Rovman Powell |
b Jansen |
8 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 80.00 |
|
Rinku Singh |
c Maxwell b Chahal |
15 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 107.14 |
|
Andre Russell |
c Inglis b Arshdeep |
20 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 111.11 |
|
Vaibhav Arora |
c Inglis b Arshdeep |
2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
|
Chetan Sakariya |
run out (Jansen) |
5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
|
Harshit Rana |
b Jansen |
3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
|
Varun Chakaravarthy |
not out |
2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
|
Extras |
(B: 0, LB: 2, NB: 0, WD: 3) |
5 | ||||
|
Total |
95 | 104 | 8 | 2 |
Fall of Wickets:
1-8 (Narine, 1.4 ov), 2-15 (Gurbaz, 2.5 ov), 3-30 (Venkatesh, 5.3 ov), 4-40 (Rahane, 7.1 ov), 5-48 (Powell, 8.4 ov), 6-70 (Rinku, 11.5 ov), 7-75 (Arora, 13.2 ov), 8-88 (Sakariya, 15.1 ov), 9-92 (Russell, 16.3 ov), 10-95 (Rana, 17.2 ov)
Bowling
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Arshdeep Singh |
4 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 5.25 |
|
Yuzvendra Chahal |
4 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 4.50 |
|
Marco Jansen |
3.2 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 6.00 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
3 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 5.33 |
|
Glenn Maxwell |
3 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 6.00 |
Impact Players
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Punjab Kings: Suryansh Shedge (in for Prabhsimran Singh, 8.4 ov)
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Kolkata Knight Riders: Angkrish Raghuvanshi (in for Varun Chakaravarthy, 13.6 ov)
Key Moments
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Strategic Timeout: PBKS – 74/5 (8.4 overs)
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Strategic Timeout: PBKS – 104/8 (14.0 overs)
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Innings Break: PBKS – 111/10 (15.3 overs)
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KKR bundled out for 95, falling 16 runs short
What Made This Match Special?
This game was a reminder that the IPL isn’t just about big scores and sixes. It showed how strategy, skill, and heart can turn a low-scoring game into a thriller. Punjab Kings’ ability to defend 111 was a testament to their bowling depth and belief, while KKR’s collapse highlighted the challenges of chasing even a small total on a tricky pitch. Yuzvendra Chahal’s spell was the kind of performance that kids watching at home will try to emulate in their backyard games.
The Bigger Picture: Impact on IPL 2025
For Punjab Kings, this win solidified their position in the top four, boosting their playoff chances. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and Chahal’s form gave them momentum going into the next set of games. For KKR, the loss was a wake-up call. With only three wins from nine games, they were now in must-win territory to keep their title hopes alive. The pressure was on Rahane and his team to find their best XI and turn things around.
Final Thoughts
The Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Match Scorecard on April 15, 2025, was a classic IPL encounter that proved cricket is as much about strategy as it is about power-hitting. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone just learning the game, this match had something for everyone—drama, skill, and a bit of magic from Yuzvendra Chahal. The scorecard tells the story of a game where every run and wicket mattered, and Punjab Kings came out on top with a performance to remember.
