Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will lock horns in the 15th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Eden Gardens on Thursday, with both sides seeking a much-needed turnaround in form.
KKR’s batting has been a major concern this season, with their middle order failing to click. Quinton de Kock has been the only consistent performer, while Sunil Narine is still adjusting to his role as an opener.
Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell have struggled to deliver impactful innings. The team’s most recent defeat against Mumbai Indians, where they were bundled out for just 116, has further exposed their vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, SRH boasts a powerful batting unit that has the potential to take the game away in a matter of overs. However, their aggressive approach has backfired in the last two matches, leading to unexpected collapses.
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma will be crucial at the top, while Heinrich Klaasen and Aniket Verma have shown their ability to accelerate in the middle and lower order.
Adding to the intensity of the contest, SRH will be eager to settle scores after their heartbreaking loss to KKR in the IPL 2024 final. The memory of that defeat will serve as extra motivation for Pat Cummins’ side, who will look to dominate the match from the outset.
Despite their batting woes, KKR’s bowling attack remains a strong point. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy will be crucial in the middle overs, with Narine’s record at Eden Gardens—71 wickets in 60 games at an economy of 6.33—making him a formidable threat.
The pace trio of Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, and Harshit Rana has also shown promise in containing opposition batsmen.
While SRH’s batting has been their biggest strength, their bowling attack has struggled for consistency. Mohammed Shami and Pat Cummins need to find their rhythm early to prevent KKR from building momentum. Young leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who impressed in the last game, could prove to be a key player on the Eden Gardens pitch.
Harshal Patel has been the only consistent performer, using his variations effectively in the death overs. However, Adam Zampa’s struggles with length and execution have been a concern for SRH.
Eden Gardens has traditionally favoured batsmen, with an average first-innings score of 167. However, recent high-scoring matches suggest teams batting first should aim for a total in the 190-200 range. The shorter boundaries provide an added advantage for power hitters. Weather conditions are expected to be warm with no rain interruptions.
With both teams desperate for a win, the contest is expected to be closely fought. If KKR can contain Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Klaasen early, they stand a strong chance of bouncing back. However, if SRH’s batting finds its rhythm, they could emerge victorious.
SRH Predicted XI:
Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Zeeshan Ansari, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Shami
Impact Player: Adam Zampa/Wiaan Mulder
KKR Predicted XI:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi
