Key Points

PBKS takes on KKR in a crucial IPL 2025 clash at Eden Gardens. Skipper Shreyas Iyer has been inconsistent despite strong away performances. KKR struggles with just three wins in eight matches. Iyer's form could be decisive in this high-stakes encounter.

Key Points: Shreyas Iyer Aims to Bounce Back as PBKS Faces KKR in IPL

  • Iyer has 263 runs in 8 IPL innings
  • PBKS sits fifth with 5 wins
  • KKR struggles at seventh place
  • Iyer's away average soars to 119
2 min read

IPL 2025: Will PBKS skipper Iyer snap recent string of low scores to continue fine away-from-home run?

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer looks to overcome recent slump as Punjab Kings take on struggling Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025.

"Iyer averages 119 away from home with three fifties, but struggles persist at Mullanpur. – ESPNCricinfo"

Kolkata, April 26

As Punjab Kings (PBKS) takes on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Eden Gardens, a key concern will be the recent slump in skipper Shreyas Iyer's form.

PBKS will face KKR at Eden Gardens on Saturday. PBKS is fifth in the points table with five wins and three losses, giving them 10 points. On the other hand, KKR is struggling, having won just three of their eight matches and standing in seventh.

Shreyas Iyer has been PBKS's leading run-scorer, having made 263 runs in eight innings at an average of 43.83 and a strike rate of 185.21, with the best score of 97*. He has smacked 17 fours and 20 sixes this season in 142 balls, as per ESPNCricinfo.

Beneath these stats lies some inconsistency. After starting the tournament with scores of 97* against Gujarat Titans (GT) and 52* against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), he has crossed the 20-run mark only once in the next six innings.

After the LSG game, Iyer's scores are: 10, 9, 82, 0, 7, 6. This translates to 114 runs in six innings at an average of 19 and a strike rate of over 162.

Iyer is having a fine run away from home, with scores of 97*, 52*, 82 (against Sunrisers Hyderabad) at Uppal Stadium and seven against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M Chinnaswamy Stadium). He averages 119 away from home with three fifties.

However, at Mullanpur so far, he has scored 10, 9, 0, 6, scoring 25 runs in four innings at an average of 6.25.

Will this game offer Iyer enough on the pitch to continue his red-hot form in away-from-home matches? Only time will tell.

Squads:

Kolkata Knight Riders Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia, Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Chetan Sakariya, Mayank Markande

Punjab Kings Squad: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Josh Inglis(w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Praveen Dubey, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Aaron Hardie, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kuldeep Sen, Harnoor Singh, Vishnu Vinod, Musheer Khan, Pyla Avinash.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Iyer's form is definitely concerning but let's not forget his explosive start to the season! That 97* against GT was pure class. Every batter goes through rough patches - he'll bounce back stronger 💪 #PBKSForever
P
Priya M.
The away vs home stats difference is crazy! 119 avg away vs 6.25 at home? Maybe he needs to visualize Mullanpur as an away ground 😅 Jokes aside, hope he finds his rhythm soon.
A
Amit S.
Respectful criticism: I think Iyer needs to work on his consistency. Great players deliver across venues and conditions. Those single-digit scores at home are worrying for a captain.
S
Sanjana P.
That strike rate of 185 though! 🔥 Even in his "bad" phase, he's scoring quickly. Imagine when he gets back to form properly! PBKS middle order looks dangerous with him and Inglis.
V
Vikram J.
People are being too harsh on Iyer. He's still PBKS's top scorer this season! T20 is a brutal format where even the best fail more often than they succeed. That 82 in Hyderabad was a masterclass.
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Neha R.
Eden Gardens is his happy hunting ground! Remember his performances here for KKR? Perfect venue to regain form. Fingers crossed for a big one today 🤞 #IPL2025

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