Match overview
Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on 15 April 2025. Punjab Kings, batting first after winning the toss, could only manage 111 all out on a surface that played well below the venue's average. It looked like too little. Yuzvendra Chahal had other ideas. His 4/28 from 4 overs ripped through KKR's middle order after they had reached 55/2 at the end of the powerplay, and KKR were eventually bowled out for 95 to lose by 16 runs.
The match was decided in the middle overs of KKR's chase. Seven wickets fell for 40 runs between overs 7 and 16, turning what had been a competitive pursuit into a hopeless one. KKR's tail added nothing in the death, losing their last wicket without scoring. Chahal's figures were the standout number, but the collapse reflected a wider inability to build partnerships once the top order fell.
For Punjab Kings, the victory was earned by their bowlers rather than their batters. A first-innings score of 111 looked exposed from the moment KKR began positively in the powerplay. That their attack still defended it speaks well of both the conditions and the execution, particularly from Chahal.
Venue and conditions
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium in New Chandigarh has hosted 14 IPL matches and typically produces sizeable scores. The average first-innings total stands at 175 and the average second-innings total at 165, meaning both sides fell roughly 65 runs short of what the ground usually offers. Average powerplay runs across those 14 matches sit at 56, which KKR matched almost exactly with 55 in the powerplay of their chase. The problem came later.
The toss data is relevant here. Teams winning the toss at this ground choose to field 71% of the time, suggesting most captains believe chasing is the smarter option. Punjab Kings went against that grain by batting first. The chase success rate sits at exactly 50% across the ground's IPL matches, so neither strategy carries a decisive advantage on the historical record. On this occasion, the pitch appeared to slow down considerably through the middle overs, which made stroke-play difficult and gave the spinners unusual purchase.
Death overs have historically yielded an average of 42 runs at this venue. Punjab Kings managed just 2 in that phase, and KKR scored none. That tells the story of a surface that removed the premium on big hitting in the final overs.
How to watch
IPL 2025 fixtures are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket. Subscribers can stream via Sky Go, and non-subscribers can access matches through a NOW TV day or month pass. Afternoon fixtures in India typically begin around 14:30 BST, while the prime-time evening slot starts around 19:30 BST. Check Sky Sports schedules for confirmed UK kick-off times for each match.
Recent form
Punjab Kings came into this match with a mixed run: three wins and two losses from their previous five IPL 2025 fixtures. Their wins came against Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Gujarat Titans, while defeats arrived against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. A win here keeps them in touch with the top half of the table.
Kolkata Knight Riders were similarly inconsistent heading in, alternating between wins and losses across their last five matches. They had beaten Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals but lost to Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians. Given their 21-13 overall lead over Punjab Kings across 36 meetings, this result represents a missed opportunity to extend their historical advantage. Both sides will meet again during the remainder of the season, and the head-to-head record suggests the next fixture between them could go either way.
