Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a gritty 16-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 31 of the IPL 2025. In a tense, low-scoring encounter, the Kings successfully defended a modest total of 111, bowling out the visitors for just 95 runs.
Earlier, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (30) provided a decent start, but the innings unraveled quickly after their dismissal. The middle order crumbled, with Shreyas Iyer, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, and Glenn Maxwell departing cheaply as the batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards.
For KKR, Harshit Rana impressed with the ball, picking up three wickets, while spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine chipped in with two wickets apiece. However, their efforts went in vain as PBKS’ bowlers turned the game around spectacularly in the second innings.
| Position | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | +0.890 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 | +0.512 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 | +0.415 |
| 4 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | +0.210 |
| 5 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -0.080 |
| 6 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -0.340 |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -0.215 |
| 8 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 | -0.525 |
| 9 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -0.602 |
| 10 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 4 | -0.715 |
IPL 2025 Points Table Update:
Following their defeat to PBKS, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have slipped to sixth place in the updated points table. KKR currently have six points with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.547. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings (PBKS) climbed to fourth position after securing a win in the 31st match of the season. They now have eight points and an NRR of +0.172.
At the top of the table, Gujarat Titans (GT) and Delhi Capitals (DC) occupy the first and second spots respectively, both with eight points each. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) follow closely in third, also with eight points. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continue to languish at the bottom with just two points so far.
IPL 2025 Orange Cap Standings:
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, despite getting out for a duck in the recent match, has retained his position among the top scorers and currently holds the fourth spot. KKR, however, do not have a batter in the top five run-scorers this season. Their leading run-getter, Ajinkya Rahane, sits in seventh place. LSG’s Nicholas Pooran leads the Orange Cap race with 357 runs to his name. Sai Sudharsan, Mitchell Marsh, and Virat Kohli round out the top five.
Top 5 Run-Scorers in IPL 2025:
- Nicholas Pooran (LSG) – 357 runs
- Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 329 runs
- Mitchell Marsh (LSG) – 295 runs
- Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) – 250 runs
- Virat Kohli (RCB) – 248 runs
IPL 2025 Purple Cap Standings:
KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy made a move in the Purple Cap race, claiming two wickets in the match and overtaking Prasidh Krishna for the fifth spot. He now has 10 wickets this season, just behind DC’s Kuldeep Yadav. Interestingly, no PBKS bowlers feature in the top five wicket-takers of IPL 2025. CSK’s Noor Ahmad and Khaleel Ahmed continue to lead the chart.
Top 5 Wicket-Takers in IPL 2025:
- Noor Ahmad (CSK) – 12 wickets
- Khaleel Ahmed (CSK) – 11 wickets
- Shardul Thakur (LSG) – 11 wickets
- Kuldeep Yadav (DC) – 10 wickets
- Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) – 10 wickets