Exciting Player Matchups to Watch in IPL 2025: KKR vs SRH
Thrilling Encounter Ahead: KKR vs SRH in IPL 2025
The upcoming IPL 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) promises to be an exhilarating showdown. Both teams feature exceptional players capable of changing the game's momentum in just a few overs. The excitement is heightened by the individual battles between batters and bowlers who have faced each other previously. Here, we highlight the top four player matchups to keep an eye on 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 faced Harshit Rana multiple times over the last three seasons, but his performance has been underwhelming. In both 2023 and 2024, he scored 5 runs off 5 balls, with three dot balls in each match. Although he wasn't dismissed, he struggled to find his rhythm, achieving a strike rate of 100. In 2025, Rana finally got the better of him, dismissing Abhishek for just 1 run off 4 balls, again with three dot balls. Overall, Abhishek has only managed 11 runs off 14 balls against Rana, with one dismissal and a strike rate of 78.6, indicating that Rana has had the upper hand in this matchup.
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 | - |
The matchup between Ishan Kishan and Anrich Nortje is highly anticipated. Despite Nortje's speed and precision, Kishan has consistently outperformed him. Since 2020, Kishan has faced Nortje for 28 balls, scoring 65 runs without being dismissed. His impressive strike rate of 232.1 showcases his dominance, including a remarkable 36 runs off just 15 balls in 2020. Kishan's ability to maintain control over this duel means Nortje will need to bring his best game to shift the balance.
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, a veteran player for KKR, has had a mixed history against SRH's captain Pat Cummins. Their encounters span several seasons, with Rahane showing improvement over time. In 2017, he scored 2 runs off 2 balls, but in 2020, Cummins dismissed him for a duck on the very first ball. However, Rahane rebounded in 2024 and 2025, scoring 11 runs off 8 balls and 13 runs off 7 balls, respectively, including two sixes. Overall, he has accumulated 26 runs off 18 balls against Cummins, with a strike rate of 144.4, indicating his growing confidence in this matchup.
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 emerged as a formidable power-hitter for SRH, especially against spin bowling. His encounters with KKR's mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy have produced mixed results. In 2023, Klaasen faced just one ball from Varun, scoring a single run. However, in 2024, he unleashed a powerful performance, scoring 34 runs off 19 balls, including four sixes, although he was eventually bowled out. In 2025, Klaasen added 7 runs off 4 balls without losing his wicket. Across three seasons, he has scored 42 runs off 24 balls against Varun, with a strike rate of 175, showcasing his dominance in this matchup. The clash between Klaasen's aggressive batting and Varun's spin will be crucial during the middle overs.