Kolkata Knight Riders to Face Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 Dead Rubber
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match No. 68 of the ongoing IPL 2025 at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Sunday, May 25. This match marks the last league game for both teams in what has been a challenging season for them.
Disappointing Season for KKR and SRH
The 18th season of the IPL has not been ideal for the Kolkata Knight Riders, who have managed to secure five wins and suffered six losses in 13 games. Despite having a chance to make it to the top four, they struggled to find momentum from the beginning with their revamped squad. The defending champions failed to defend their title this season.
On the other hand, the Sunrisers Hyderabad also find themselves in a similar position, currently occupying the eighth spot in the points tally. Led by Pat Cummins, the team had a slow start but have shown improvement in their last few games, coming off two consecutive wins.
Match Details
The pitch at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to be on the slower side, favoring spinners due to its dry surface and patches of grass. Dew is likely to play a significant role later in the evening, making the toss-winning captain opt to bowl first. Fortunately, there is no prediction of rain in Delhi on the match day, ensuring a smooth game.
KKR vs SRH Head-to-Head Record
KKR vs SRH Predicted Playing 11s
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana
Sunrisers Hyderabad:
Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins(c), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga
Impact Players
For Kolkata Knight Riders, Vaibhav Arora is expected to make a significant impact, while Harsh Dubey is the impact player for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Probable Best Batter and Bowler of the Match
Travis Head is predicted to be the best batter in the upcoming game against KKR, with his ability to turn the game around on any given day. Varun Chakravarthy, with his mystery bowling, is expected to trouble the SRH batters, given his impressive record this season.
Match Prediction
Despite the challenges faced by both teams this season, the prediction for this match leans towards the Kolkata Knight Riders to secure a victory. With their experienced players and potential match-winners, KKR is expected to finish their league campaign on a high note.
Season Highlights
Throughout the IPL 2025 season, both Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad have had their fair share of standout performances and challenges. Kolkata’s Venkatesh Iyer emerged as a rising star with his explosive batting at the top of the order, consistently providing quick starts for the team. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Abhishek Sharma showcased his all-round abilities with crucial contributions with both bat and ball.
Team Strategies
As they head into this dead rubber match, both teams are likely to experiment with their lineups and strategies, giving opportunities to fringe players and testing new combinations. Kolkata Knight Riders may look to give more chances to their young talents like Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harshit Rana to gain valuable experience for the future. Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad might focus on building team morale and finishing the season on a positive note, regardless of the results.
Key Battles to Watch
One of the key battles to watch out for in this match is between Andre Russell of KKR and Pat Cummins of SRH. Both players are known for their match-winning abilities and can single-handedly change the course of the game with their explosive performances. Another exciting battle could be between Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin and the young middle-order of Sunrisers Hyderabad, testing their skills against a crafty bowler.
Home Advantage for KKR
Playing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Kolkata Knight Riders will have a slight advantage as they are more familiar with the conditions compared to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The KKR spinners, led by Varun Chakravarthy, could exploit the slow pitch and turn it to their advantage, making it challenging for the SRH batters to score freely.
Fan Expectations
While this match may not hold significant implications in terms of the IPL 2025 playoff race, fans of both teams will be looking forward to an entertaining contest. They will hope to see their favorite players deliver standout performances and end the season on a high note, providing some excitement and entertainment in this dead rubber encounter.
Final Thoughts
As Kolkata Knight Riders face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final league game of IPL 2025, both teams have the opportunity to showcase their talent and end the season on a positive note. While the pressure of qualification is off, the players will be motivated to give their best and entertain the fans with an exciting contest. Despite the challenges faced by both teams this season, cricket enthusiasts can expect a competitive and engaging match between these two sides.
