03 Apr, 2025 | 11:15 AM
The clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday will be a rematch of the IPL 2024 final. However, both teams have had a rocky start to the 2025 season, finding themselves at the wrong end of the points table after three games. SRH sit in eighth place, while KKR are languishing in tenth, with both teams managing to defeat only Rajasthan Royals, who are ranked ninth.
For defending champions KKR, the early struggles have been in their batting department. Last season, their opening partnership was a dominant force, averaging 43.9 runs at a strike rate of 207. In IPL 2025, however, their opening partnership is averaging just 15.3 and striking at a dismal 100. The middle order, which includes key players like Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Ramandeep Singh, has also been underperforming, averaging just 17.22 with a strike rate of 117.3. Moreover, KKR's batters have shown vulnerability against the short ball, with nine out of their 12 dismissals to fast bowling coming from deliveries pitched between 8 to 10 meters.
SRH has also faced issues in both batting and bowling during the powerplay. While Abhishek Sharma has looked good in flashes, his overall contribution has been limited, with just 31 runs in three innings. Their batting has faltered during key moments, often finishing with subpar totals despite attacking intent. On the bowling front, SRH’s fast bowlers were expected to strengthen their powerplay, but their economy rate (11.4) is the worst among all teams in IPL 2025. Despite the presence of quality bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, and Harshal Patel, their bowling has been ineffective, with the pace attack's economy rate standing at 11.7, only marginally better than Rajasthan Royals' quicks.
Despite similar problems, KKR and SRH have different approaches to resolving them. SRH captain Pat Cummins has stated that they will not change their aggressive batting approach, while KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo has suggested a more strategic approach, with batters needing to move beyond just aggression and be more "crafty" in their play. The outcome of Thursday's match could reveal which philosophy proves more effective.
Both teams are expected to field their strongest available line-ups. However, the pitch conditions could dictate certain changes. For SRH, the choice between spinners Adam Zampa and Zeeshan Ansari, or seamer Simarjeet Singh, will depend on the nature of the Eden Gardens surface. KKR will likely stick with their usual XI, although Anrich Nortje, their fastest bowler, is still not match-ready.
Probable Line-ups:
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Sunil Narine
Quinton de Kock (wk)
Ajinkya Rahane (capt)
Venkatesh Iyer
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Rinku Singh
Andre Russell
Ramandeep Singh
Harshit Rana
Spencer Johnson
Varun Chakravarthy
Vaibhav Arora
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Travis Head
Abhishek Sharma
Ishan Kishan
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Aniket Verma
Heinrich Klaasen (wk)
Abhinav Manohar
Pat Cummins (capt)
Wiaan Mulder/Adam Zampa
Harshal Patel
Mohammed Shami
Simarjeet Singh/Zeeshan Ansari
Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been in fantastic form since 2024, taking 76 wickets in 50 IPL appearances at a strike rate of 14.3 and an economy of 7.7. Zampa has proven especially effective between overs 7-16, a phase where he has bowled 80% of his overs. Given his impressive performances, should SRH make him a permanent fixture in their playing XI?
Aniket Verma, a promising young talent for SRH, has been one of the most destructive players of spin in IPL 2025. His 41-ball 74 against Delhi Capitals showcased his ability to attack, particularly against spin bowlers, where he has a strike rate of 238. KKR’s spinners, including Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, will look to challenge Verma’s dominance.
On the other hand, Andre Russell’s recent form has been concerning. Since the end of IPL 2024, Russell has averaged just 18.9 runs per match, and he has scored only nine runs in two innings this season. KKR will be hoping for a turnaround from the West Indies all-rounder, who was a key player for them last season.
The Eden Gardens pitch will be under scrutiny once again. KKR's management requested a slower surface after the season opener against RCB, and two pitches with minimal grass have been prepared for this match. It is expected that these pitches will favor spinners, aligning with KKR’s preference for a slower, turning surface.
KKR have won eight of their last ten matches against SRH, including all three games in IPL 2024 (one league game, the first qualifier, and the final).
SRH has an 80% win rate when both Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma survive the powerplay. This drops to 71% when one of them is dismissed, and plummets to 17% when both are out.
KKR have the second-lowest powerplay run-rate this season (7.8), just ahead of CSK (7.4). They also have the joint worst powerplay bowling strike rate (54).
KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo:
"The bowlers have an attacking plan, but also have a defensive plan. When we are under pressure, you will see our bowlers go to a defensive plan. But when we are also picking up wickets, we will continue to try and pick up more."
SRH fielding coach Ryan Cook:
"Our team is suited to play an aggressive style, but we don’t speak about 300 as an expectation. We try to play a positive brand of cricket. It's a strength of ours and we try to double down on our strengths."
As both teams face early-season struggles, Thursday’s encounter will be a crucial test for KKR and SRH to get their IPL 2025 campaigns back on track.
