When Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) clash in Match 44 of IPL 2025, their fans can anticipate some thrilling one-on-one contests on the ground. Both the teams possess some class acts players who have been known to put up thrilling encounters against one another. Let's examine the five major player contests that might seal the fate of this match. Top 5 Key Player Battles to Watch in KKR vs PBKS Sno Players 1 Shreyas Iyer vs Sunil Narine 2 Ajinkya Rahane vs Yuzvendra Chahal 3 Andre Russell vs Arshdeep Singh 4 Varun Chakravarthy vs Shreyas Iyer 5 Harshit Rana vs Prabhsimran Singh Shreyas Iyer vs Sunil Narine Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2015 2 5 0 3 0 0 40.0 - 2017 8 9 0 2 0 0 88.9 - 2018 8 4 0 1 0 1 200.0 - 2020 22 13 0 1 0 1 169.2 - 2021 2 4 1 2 0 0 50.0 2.0 Total 42 35 1 9 0 2 120.0 42.0 One of the most anticipated struggles will be between Sunil Narine of KKR and Shreyas Iyer of PBKS. Narine has kept Iyer at bay over the years. In five matches, Iyer has just 42 runs off 35 balls against Narine, getting dismissed once. His strike rate against Narine is close to 120, which is not particularly high by T20 standards. Interestingly, Iyer has scored just two sixes off Narine and zero fours altogether. It reflects how tough it has been for him to overpower the experienced spinner. Narine's astute variations will again try his patience and skills in this game. Also Read | IPL 2025: DC vs RCB Match 46 Preview - Venue, Squads & More Ajinkya Rahane vs Yuzvendra Chahal Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2014 0 1 1 1 0 0 0.0 0.0 2015 6 8 1 3 0 0 75.0 6.0 2016 11 9 0 3 1 0 122.2 - 2018 7 6 0 2 1 0 116.7 - 2019 0 2 1 2 0 0 0.0 0.0 2020 18 13 0 1 1 0 138.5 - 2023 3 3 0 0 0 0 100.0 - 2025 1 3 1 2 0 0 33.3 1.0 Total 46 45 4 14 3 0 102.2 11.5 Ajinkya Rahane, playing at three for KKR, will have a tricky one against Yuzvendra Chahal. Their one-on-one figures categorically reveal that Chahal has agitated Rahane previously. Rahane has compiled a mere 46 runs against Chahal from 45 balls and has fallen four times. His strike rate is well below 100, and his average against Chahal stands at a meager 11.5. Rahane has hit only three boundaries against the leg-spinner over all these years. With Chahal being famous for his intelligent flight and googlies, Rahane will have to be extremely careful when they are playing against each other. Andre Russell vs Arshdeep Singh Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2020 4 2 1 1 1 0 200.0 4.0 2022 12 4 0 1 1 1 300.0 - 2023 8 7 0 3 1 0 114.3 - 2024 10 3 1 1 1 1 333.3 10.0 Total 34 16 2 6 4 2 212.5 17.0 Whenever Andre Russell walks out to the crease, fireworks are guaranteed. But Arshdeep Singh has had a reasonable record against the big-hitting all-rounder. In their encounters, Russell has made 34 runs off 16 balls against Arshdeep but has also been dismissed twice. Russell's strike rate is a whopping 212.5, but getting out twice indicates that Arshdeep knows how to deal with the menacing Jamaican. Arshdeep's yorkers and slower balls may again prove to be decisive, particularly in the death overs when Russell tends to burst. Also Read | Kohli recalls sharing dressing room with legends in IPL 2008 Varun Chakravarthy vs Shreyas Iyer Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2020 4 2 1 1 1 0 200.0 4.0 2022 12 4 0 1 1 1 300.0 - 2023 8 7 0 3 1 0 114.3 - 2024 10 3 1 1 1 1 333.3 10.0 Total 34 16 2 6 4 2 212.5 17.0 Surprisingly, Shreyas Iyer also has a past record against KKR's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Iyer has struggled against Varun's cunning bowling in the past. Throughout their encounters, Iyer has made 34 runs from 16 balls but lost his wicket twice. Although the strike rate appears to be impressive at more than 200, the two dismissals indicate that Varun has managed to outsmart Iyer. Iyer will have to be more cautious while attempting to play shots against Varun, who varies his pace and lengths intelligently. Harshit Rana vs Prabhsimran Singh Year Runs Balls Outs Dots 4s 6s SR Avg 2023 0 2 1 2 0 0 0.0 0.0 2024 13 4 0 1 0 2 325.0 - 2025 12 6 1 4 0 2 200.0 12.0 Total 25 12 2 7 0 4 208.3 12.5 Another thrilling mini-battle will be the one between Harshit Rana and Prabhsimran Singh. In their past encounters, Harshit has got rid of Prabhsimran twice. But Prabhsimran has compiled 25 runs off only 12 deliveries, hitting four sixes. His strike rate against Harshit is a searing 208.3, but the two dismissals indicate that it's a high-risk strategy. Harshit's skill to bowl hard lengths and employ slower deliveries can be instrumental in curbing Prabhsimran's aggressive top-order batting.