Why is Marcus Stoinis not playing the KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match? Check PBKS Playing XI

Pitted in a mid-table tussle, Punjab Kings are keen on picking two points in Kolkata to re-enter the Top 4 at the IPL 2025 points table. The last time Punjab Kings met the defending champions, the team broke the record of defending the lowest total in IPL history. Shreyas Iyer, playing against his former team, defended a mere 111 at Punjab's home ground in Mullanpur. A rematch is now set to hit the action, this time at Eden Gardens. Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been dropped from the PBKS Playing XI for the KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match.

Glenn Maxwell and Azmatullah Omarzai playing for PBKS. pic.twitter.com/YzWWEDXU5B

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 26, 2025

Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first against his former team at the Eden Gardens. The skipper then named a couple of changes in the PBKS Playing XI for the KKR vs PBKS match. Marcus Stoinis and Xavier Bartlett have been dropped from the side. Stoinis didn't play the PBKS vs KKR match earlier in the season on the back of lacking returns with the bat as the designated finisher. However, the all-rounder returned to the team as Punjab Kings played two consecutive games against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

As is stands now, Stoinis has been dropped again as Punjab Kings have called Glenn Maxwell back. Moreover, Bartlett, who joined after Lockie Ferguson returned home due to an injury, has made space for Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.

The home team, meanwhile, have dropped Ramandeep Singh from their combination for the KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match. The side, led by Ajinkya Rahane, is desperate for a redemption in the season and would look to avenge their dramatic defeat against PBKS where they failed to chase 111 runs. Rovman Powell has replaced Moeen Ali while Ramandeep Singh has been dropped for Chetan Sakariya in the KKR Plaing XI.

Sadde 🦁s geared up for Round 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/xSArgBmTkG

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 26, 2025

PBKS Playing XI for the KKR vs PBKS IPL 2025 match

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer(c), Josh Inglis(w), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Subs: 

Harpreet Brar, Musheer Khan, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Praveen Dubey