The IPL 2025 game between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) is all set to be a nail-biting encounter. Both teams boast quality players who can turn the game around within a few overs. What makes this encounter even more thrilling are the crucial individual duels between batters and bowlers with a past against each other. Let's consider the top 4 player showdowns to look out for in Match 68. Top 4 Key Player Battles to Watch in SRH vs KKR Sno Players 1 Abhishek Sharma vs Harshit Rana 2 Ishan Kishan vs Anrich Nortje 3 Ajinkya Rahane vs Pat Cummins 4 Heinrich Klaasen vs Varun Chakaravarthy Abhishek Sharma vs Harshit Rana Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2023 5 5 0 3 1 0 100.0 - 2024 5 5 0 3 1 0 100.0 - 2025 1 4 1 3 0 0 25.0 1.0 Total 11 14 1 9 2 0 78.6 11.0 Abhishek Sharma has played against Harshit Rana several times in the past three seasons, but the SRH opener hasn't fared very well. Abhishek managed 5 runs from 5 balls in both 2023 and 2024, with three dot balls in both matches. Although he wasn't caught out in those games, he didn't get going either, posting a strike rate of 100. But in 2025, Abhishek was eventually bested by Rana. He sent him back for only 1 run off 4 balls, with three additional dots. Abhishek has managed to score just 11 runs off 14 deliveries against Rana in three seasons, and has been dismissed once. His overall strike rate is 78.6, and he has achieved just two boundaries – both in 2023 and 2024. The match-up evidently favors Rana, who has kept Abhishek in the dark and on his toes. Also Read | Rashid Khan creates an unwanted record in the match against CSK Ishan Kishan vs Anrich Nortje Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2020 36 15 0 2 4 2 240.0 - 2022 15 7 0 3 2 1 214.3 - 2023 5 2 0 0 1 0 250.0 - 2024 9 4 0 0 0 1 225.0 - Total 65 28 0 5 7 4 232.1 - One of the most anticipated duels to watch out for is Ishan Kishan vs Anrich Nortje. Although Nortje has pace and accuracy, Ishan has ruled over him years after years. At number 3 for SRH this year, Kishan has an excellent record against Nortje and will want to carry on his good form. Since 2020, Ishan has been opposed to Nortje for 28 balls and has scored 65 runs without getting out even once. His strike rate of 232.1 is simply awesome. In 2020 alone, he hit 36 runs off a mere 15 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Even in 2022, 2023, and 2024, Ishan remained unbeaten and scored at a good pace. He hit 7 fours and 4 sixes off Nortje, maintaining absolute control over this encounter. Nortje will have to bring something extraordinary on the field to turn this fight around in his own direction, given that Ishan plays more aggressively for SRH. Also | Watch: Ayush Mhatre Smashes Arshad Khan for 28 Runs in One Over Ajinkya Rahane vs Pat Cummins Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2017 2 2 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2020 0 1 1 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 2024 11 8 0 3 0 1 137.5 - 2025 13 7 0 4 0 2 185.7 - Total 26 18 1 8 0 3 144.4 26.0 Ajinkya Rahane, who is now a seasoned campaigner for KKR, has experienced contrasting performances against SRH captain Pat Cummins. The duel between the two has lasted for many seasons, and Rahane has taken long strides. In 2017, Rahane encountered Cummins for only two balls and scored two runs with ease. But in 2020, Cummins got Rahane out for a duck on the first ball itself. That was a huge victory for the Aussie pacer. But in 2024 and 2025, the momentum shifted. Rahane hit 11 out of 8 balls in 2024 and then a swift 13 out of merely 7 balls in 2025, comprising two sixes. Overall, Rahane has hit 26 runs off 18 balls at a strike rate of 144.4. Although he got out once, his recent batting reveals he's becoming more confident in batting against Cummins. This match could be decisive during the powerplay overs. Heinrich Klaasen vs Varun Chakaravarthy Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2023 1 1 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2024 34 19 1 7 0 4 178.9 34.0 2025 7 4 0 0 1 0 175.0 - Total 42 24 1 7 1 4 175.0 42.0 Heinrich Klaasen has been a perennial power-hitter for SRH, particularly against spin. Varun Chakaravarthy, the mystery spinner of KKR, has played against him in the previous three seasons with variable returns. In 2023, Klaasen faced only one ball from Varun and made a single. But it was in 2024 that the war became fierce. Klaasen attacked Varun and made 34 off 19 balls with four huge sixes. But in that match, he was also bowled out by Varun. In 2025, Klaasen contributed 7 additional runs off 4 balls without losing his wicket. Overall in the three seasons, Klaasen has hit 42 runs off 24 balls at a strike rate of 175 with one dismissal. Whereas Varun has managed to get his wicket once, Klaasen has dominated to a great extent with big-hitting. The battle between the spin and aggression will be crucial in the middle overs.