However, the arc is not yet complete. Shreyas Iyer, now the captain of Punjab Kings – the second most expensive player in the history of IPL – will be up against his former side, KKR. Iyer has been in never-before-seen touch this season, hitting sixes from ball one – against both spin and pace.

Iyer's aggression and the will for revenge have rubbed off on the Punjab Kings side as well – a bunch of misfits – who are currently banded together by none other than Ricky Ponting, Iyer's former coach at the Delhi Capitals. Ponting and Iyer have combined to propel PBKS to a good start this season. Three wins from five games mean that they sit in 6th position on the points table, despite their epic thrashing against SunRisers Hyderabad.

The side will look to shake that off and make sure they put the foot on the pedal once again when they take on KKR at their home ground in Mullanpur.

PBKS' Big Worry

Punjab Kings all-rounder, one of Ricky Ponting's favourite players – Glenn Maxwell – has not clicked at all this season. Maxwell has a little over 30 runs from five games and has only picked up three wickets this season. For commentator Simon Doull, that seems to be enough. Doull wants Punjab to try out Josh Inglis, who has been warming the benches despite a sensational Champions Trophy. Doull has also suggested that Punjab bring in Azmatullah Omarzai, who has the ability to bowl and bat in the middle phases.

Punjab will most certainly miss Lockie Ferguson in the line-up, who has been all but ruled out of the season, and replacing him will be a big task for the team.

PBKS vs KKR: Head-to-Head

Historically, KKR lead the rivalry 21-12 in the IPL. However, that seems to be shifting over the last few years. In current form, PBKS definitely have the firepower to beat KKR.

PBKS vs KKR: Team News

Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out due to injury. PBKS have multiple options in their side to replace the fast bowler. In terms of pure bowling options, they have Kuldeep Sen and Vijaykumar Vyshak. They can also opt to play Azmatullah Omarzai in his place.

KKR, on the other hand, might opt for Spencer Johnson in this encounter in place of Moeen Ali. Spencer's pace might rattle the ultra-aggressive batters in the Punjab side.

PBKS vs KKR: Predicted Playing XIs

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

Impact Sub: Glenn Maxwell

KKR Predicted XI
Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakaravarthy

Impact Sub: Vaibhav Arora

IPL 2025: Top Fantasy Picks

KKR

• Sunil Narine
• Venkatesh Iyer
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Spencer Johnson
• Quinton de Kock

PBKS

• Shreyas Iyer
• Arshdeep Singh
• Priyansh Arya
• Marco Jansen
• Vyshak Vijaykumar

• PBKS vs KKR: Pitch and Weather Conditions

  It is expected to be hot in Chandigarh now that the rains have subsided in the northern part of the country. The pitch is expected to be a sporty one where 210 might be a winning total.

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