Indian Premier League

IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Aim for Comeback Against KKR Amid Bowling Woes

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) are gearing up for a crucial clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match No. 31 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, set to take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Tuesday. Both teams are tied at six points, but KKR currently edge ahead in fifth place due to a better net run rate, while Punjab trail just behind in sixth.

Punjab head into this game licking their wounds after a tough loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite posting a mammoth total of 245, their bowlers couldn’t contain the SRH opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, who pulled off a record chase to hand PBKS an eight-wicket defeat.

Adding to Punjab’s woes, their pace spearhead Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury. Bowling coach James Hopes confirmed the development, leaving a significant gap in the side’s attack.

In the wake of Ferguson’s absence, PBKS have two main strategies on the table.

One option is to bring in Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai into the playing XI. Azmat not only fills the overseas slot vacated by Ferguson but also strengthens the batting lineup in the lower middle order. With his all-round abilities, he offers a dual advantage. Punjab can then utilize Vijaykumar Vyshak as their Impact Player, as he showed promise in earlier matches.

Probable XI with Azmatullah Omarzai:  

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal  

Impact Player: Vijaykumar Vyshak

Alternatively, PBKS could opt for a straight pace-for-pace swap by fielding Australian speedster Xavier Bartlett, who impressed in the recent BBL season. This move would maintain their team structure, while still allowing room to experiment with Impact Players like Yash Thakur or Vyshak.

Probable XI with Xavier Bartlett:  

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Marcus Stoinis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal  

Impact Player: Yash Thakur/Vijaykumar Vyshak

With the season entering a crucial phase, PBKS will be desperate to bounce back and solidify their playoff push. Meanwhile, KKR will aim to build momentum and rise further up the table in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Manoj Tiwary questions Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy during KKR vs CSK IPL 2025 match

Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary slammed Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy after Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a… Read More

May 8, 2025

Aakash Chopra questions KKR’s playing combination after loss against CSK

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra questioned Kolkata Knight Riders’ playing combination after they suffered a… Read More

May 8, 2025

Virender Sehwag opens on Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 series, says he could have played 100 Test matches

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag believes Rohit Sharma could have played 100 Test matches for… Read More

May 8, 2025

Aakash Chopra suggests a change in DC’s starting XI for IPL 2025 clash vs PBKS

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has urged Delhi Capitals to keep Ashutosh Sharma in… Read More

May 8, 2025

Aakash Chopra urges Shreyas Iyer to bat at no.3 in IPL 2025 clash vs. Delhi Capitals

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer to bat… Read More

May 8, 2025

IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane admits KKR was 15 runs short after loss against CSK

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane admitted they were 10-15 runs short of a par… Read More

May 8, 2025