As IPL 2025 winds down, match number 68 brings a dead rubber between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 25 at the Arun Jaitley International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad. With both teams officially eliminated from the playoff race, this game serves as a chance for players to end on a high, test their bench strength, and play freely without the pressure of qualification.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can catch the SRH vs KKR encounter live on the Star Sports Network in India, Fox Sports in Australia, and Ten Sports in Pakistan. Match time: 7:00 PM PST, 7:30 PM IST, 2:00 PM GMT.
Team Analysis
Sunrisers Hyderabad showed promise in patches throughout the season but lacked consistency to string wins together. Their top order, featuring Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram, delivered occasional brilliance, but frequent collapses derailed their campaigns. Heinrich Klaasen stood out with his attacking cameos in the middle order, but lack of support around him was evident.
Their bowling unit, traditionally SRH’s strength, underperformed this season. Mohammad Shami and Umran Malik struggled for rhythm and economy, while overseas pacers failed to adapt to Indian conditions. Spin options like Rahul Chahar didn’t have the impact expected, leaving SRH exposed on slow pitches. Only the skipper, Pat Cummins was able to provide with a economical pace option and played a significant role in propelling the team towards key victories in this season of IPL.
Kolkata Knight Riders, too, endured an inconsistent run marked by frequent team changes and underwhelming performances from their key stars. Ajinkya Rahane, returning as the captain couldn’t find form, and Andre Russell had a forgettable season with both bat and ball. Rinku Singh was a rare bright spark, playing with maturity and flair in the middle order. However, Andre Russel was the standout performer for the Kolkata squad as he entertained the fans with his magical batting talents.
KKR also struggled with team balance and overseas player rotation, which disrupted their rhythm. Frequent changes in the playing XI, especially among foreign recruits like Moeen Ali, Litton Das, and Sunil Narine, created instability and made it difficult to settle on a core group. The lack of a dependable opening partnership further compounded their issues, often leaving the middle order to absorb early pressure. Despite having a mix of power-hitters and experienced campaigners, KKR failed to fire collectively, exposing the need for strategic clarity and a stronger domestic core heading into the next season.
Conclusion
While the match may not affect the standings, it holds value for young talents and fringe players seeking to prove themselves ahead of next season. SRH, playing at home, will hope to give their fans something to cheer about, while KKR look to avoid finishing at the bottom of the table.
Key players to watch include Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma for SRH, and Rinku Singh and Varun Chakravarthy for KKR. With nothing to lose, expect an open, attacking game — and perhaps a few surprises from players hungry to leave a mark in what may be their last outing of IPL 2025. If you want to watch SRH Vs KKR live, scroll above and click on the link provided.
