Rematch of IPL 2024 Final with New Challenges
The last time Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) met, it was in the IPL 2024 final. Fast forward to IPL 2025, and both teams find themselves struggling early in the tournament. Three matches into the season, SRH sit at eighth and KKR at the bottom of the points table. Their only victories so far have been against Rajasthan Royals, who are also struggling at ninth.
For KKR, the batting lineup has been unusually fragile. Last season, their opening partnership averaged 43.9 at a strike rate of 207. This year, that average has dropped to 15.3, with a strike rate of just 100. Middle-order batters Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Ramandeep Singh have been inconsistent, averaging only 17.22 with a strike rate of 117.3. Additionally, they have shown a weakness against short-pitched deliveries, with nine of their twelve dismissals to fast bowlers coming from balls pitched short.
SRH, on the other hand, have struggled with both bat and ball in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma has shown promise but has managed only 31 runs in three innings. The team has persisted with an aggressive batting approach, even when wickets are falling. Their bowling attack, despite featuring Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, and Harshal Patel, has the worst powerplay economy rate (11.4) among all teams, while their overall pace attack economy rate (11.7) is only slightly better than Rajasthan Royals’ (11.8).
Team Strategies and Lineups
Despite their similar struggles, KKR and SRH have different philosophies. While SRH captain Pat Cummins has stated that they will stick to their aggressive batting approach, KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo has emphasized the need for their batters to be more adaptable and strategic.
Probable Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Sunil Narine, 2. Quinton de Kock (wk), 3. Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4. Venkatesh Iyer, 5. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Andre Russell, 8. Ramandeep Singh, 9. Harshit Rana, 10. Spencer Johnson, 11. Varun Chakravarthy, 12. Vaibhav Arora.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. Travis Head, 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5. Aniket Verma, 6. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7. Abhinav Manohar, 8. Pat Cummins (capt), 9. Wiaan Mulder/Adam Zampa, 10. Harshal Patel, 11. Mohammed Shami, 12. Simarjeet Singh/Zeeshan Ansari.
Key Players to Watch
- Aniket Verma (SRH): One of the most explosive players of IPL 2025, Aniket Verma has demonstrated his ability to dominate spin, hitting 11 sixes—second only to Nicholas Pooran. With KKR boasting spinners like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, Aniket’s performance will be crucial.
- Andre Russell (KKR): The all-rounder has struggled since IPL 2024, scoring only 586 runs in 41 T20 games at an average of 18.9. His form in IPL 2025 has been poor as well, with just nine runs in two innings. However, he had a match-winning knock of 64* against SRH last season, which could boost his confidence.
Pitch and Conditions: Will Spin Play a Role?
Eden Gardens’ pitch has been a talking point. The surface for KKR’s season opener against RCB was criticized by captain Rahane, who requested a slower track to aid their spinners. Two pitches have been prepared for this fixture, both having minimal grass, suggesting that KKR’s request has been granted.
Stats That Matter
- KKR won all three encounters against SRH in IPL 2024, including the final.
- KKR’s powerplay run rate (7.8) is the second lowest this season, ahead of only CSK (7.4).
- Travis Head has the second-highest strike rate against fast bowling (206) since IPL 2024.
- Heinrich Klaasen has never been dismissed by Sunil Narine in IPL (34 runs off 22 balls). Against Varun Chakravarthy, he has scored 35 runs off 20 balls but has been dismissed once.
- SRH has an 80% win rate when both Head and Abhishek Sharma survive the powerplay, but that drops to 17% when both are dismissed early.
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