KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 Live Updates: A Thrilling Encounter at Eden Gardens
The vibrant city of Kolkata witnessed an electrifying contest as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 44 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the iconic Eden Gardens. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as thousands of fans thronged the stadium, while millions tuned in from around the globe, eager to see two dynamic teams battle it out in the middle.
PBKS captain Sam Curran won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to put pressure on the home team by setting a daunting target. Opening the innings for Punjab Kings were Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, a duo known for their aggressive stroke play and ability to dominate the powerplay overs. From the first ball, Priyansh Arya set the tone for PBKS with a glorious cover drive that raced to the boundary, drawing loud cheers from the traveling PBKS fans.
The KKR bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Sunil Narine, tried to find early breakthroughs, but the Punjab openers remained resolute. Arya looked in sublime touch, peppering the field with crisp shots on both sides of the wicket. In no time, he brought up his half-century off just 27 deliveries, a testament to his attacking mindset. On the other end, Prabhsimran played the perfect anchor role, rotating the strike and ensuring that the scoreboard kept ticking.
By the end of the 10th over, PBKS had stormed to 96 without loss, a commanding position that put the KKR camp under immense pressure. Skipper Shreyas Iyer shuffled his bowlers, bringing in Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell in an attempt to break the threatening opening stand. Varun came close to dismissing Arya when a sharp turning ball missed the edge by a whisker, but luck favored PBKS.
As the innings progressed, Priyansh Arya accelerated further, lofting spinners over long-on and pulling pacers effortlessly into the stands. It was pure carnage, and the KKR fielders could do little but watch the ball sail over their heads. Meanwhile, Prabhsimran Singh quietly notched up his own fifty, bringing stability to PBKS’s innings.
At the 15-over mark, Punjab had amassed 152 runs without losing a wicket. The Eden Gardens crowd, though largely supporting KKR, couldn’t help but applaud the breathtaking strokeplay on display. However, KKR weren’t ready to give up. Sunil Narine, the veteran spinner, finally provided the breakthrough when he bowled a beautifully flighted delivery that deceived Arya in the air, sending him back for a scintillating 87 runs off 42 balls.
The dismissal of Arya brought Liam Livingstone to the crease, a batsman known for his explosive hitting. Livingstone wasted no time, smashing his second ball for a towering six over deep midwicket. PBKS looked set for a mammoth total, and with wickets in hand, they aimed for a finish in excess of 220.
KKR, sensing the urgency, tightened their fielding and bowled disciplined lines. Starc returned for his final spell and managed to dismiss Prabhsimran for a well-made 65, giving KKR a glimmer of hope. The fall of two quick wickets slowed down the scoring rate, and in the death overs, KKR’s bowlers executed their yorkers to good effect.
Despite the slowdown, PBKS managed to post a daunting total of 214/4 in their 20 overs, thanks to a late flurry of boundaries from Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran. Narine was the pick of the KKR bowlers, finishing with figures of 2 for 32, while Starc’s fiery spells earned him crucial wickets at important junctures.
Chasing 215, KKR knew they needed a solid start. Openers Phil Salt and Venkatesh Iyer walked out with intent. However, PBKS’s pace sensation Arshdeep Singh struck early, removing Salt with a beautiful in-swinger that rattled the stumps. The early breakthrough tilted the momentum in PBKS’s favor, and the pressure was squarely on the hosts.
Venkatesh Iyer counterattacked fiercely, taking on Rabada and Curran with a flurry of boundaries. He was well supported by Shreyas Iyer, who played a captain’s knock, mixing caution with aggression. Together, they added 78 runs for the second wicket, bringing KKR back into the contest.
Just when it seemed KKR were cruising, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar produced a moment of magic, trapping Venkatesh lbw with a quicker delivery. The dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, as Andre Russell fell cheaply, miscuing a pull shot to deep midwicket. KKR were suddenly 112 for 4, with the required run rate climbing steadily.
Shreyas Iyer fought valiantly, crafting a brilliant half-century under pressure. He kept finding the gaps, running hard between the wickets, and keeping the crowd’s hopes alive. But wickets kept tumbling at the other end, and the burden became too heavy. With 28 needed off the last two overs, KKR’s hopes rested on Rinku Singh, the hero of many past run chases.
Facing Arshdeep Singh in the 19th over, Rinku showed nerves of steel, smacking a six and a four to bring the equation down to 12 off the final over. The stadium roared in support, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Sam Curran took the responsibility of bowling the last over for PBKS, and it turned into a nerve-wracking contest.
On the very first ball, Rinku launched Curran over long-on for a massive six, reducing the equation to 6 off 5 balls. Curran, showing great character, came back strongly, delivering two dot balls that swung the momentum back towards PBKS. With six needed off three, Rinku tried to finish it in style but mistimed a lofted shot, only to be caught at long-off by Livingstone.
With Rinku’s dismissal, KKR’s hopes faded rapidly. Needing six off two deliveries, Narine and Shreyas managed only singles, and PBKS pulled off a thrilling 4-run victory. Eden Gardens stood stunned, while the PBKS players erupted in celebration, having pulled off a remarkable defense against the odds.
For his explosive 87 and sensational batting display, Priyansh Arya was adjudged the Player of the Match. His innings set the foundation for PBKS’s triumph and left a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike. With this win, PBKS climbed crucial points on the IPL 2025 table, strengthening their push towards the playoffs.
Meanwhile, KKR, despite the loss, showed great fighting spirit and remained strong contenders in the tournament. The match will be remembered for its twists and turns, brilliant performances, and the unrelenting passion of the players and fans alike.
As the IPL 2025 moves into its final stages, both KKR and PBKS have shown that they possess the firepower and determination to go all the way, promising even more thrilling contests in the days to come.