Who are Josh Inglis and Xavier Bartlett replacing today in PBKS vs KKR IPL 2025 clash?

Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders are all set to take on each other in the 31st match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025. The game is going to be very crucial for both teams to enter the list of ‘top four teams’ in the tournament’s points table with a win in this game.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings have made two major changes in their playing XI ahead of the big clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders. They have picked the star Australian batter Josh Inglis in the playing XI, alongside another Aussie star, Xavier Bartlett. 

PBKS have included Josh Inglis, Australia's star wicketkeeper and batter, to make his IPL debut instead of Marcus Stoinis, who is out injured for at least 10 days. The veteran Aussie star had picked up the injury during the game against SRH, where he had scored 34 not out off 11 balls. Young pacer Xavier Bartlett has also been handed his IPL debut cap to replace Lockie Ferguson, who is out of the tournament indefinitely.

Both the changes have been made by the PBKS management to ensure a balance in their batting and bowling attack while approaching this all-important match against the defending champions.

Josh Inglis and Xavier Bartlett replace two big names

Notably, Josh Inglis is replacing the star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who is not a part of the mix tonight. On the other hand, Bartlett has made it to the playing XI in place of the injured pacer Lockie Ferguson, who is out of today’s game. Interestingly, Josh Inglis will also be taking over the wicketkeeping duties from Prabhsimran Singh for this game against KKR

Here’s a look at the PBKS Playing XI for the game against KKR

Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Speaking of the current update from the centre, the hosts’ skipper Shreyas Iyer has won the toss and decided to bat first at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which is known for favouring the batters in the first half of the game.

Apart from that, what is more important to watch for fans in this game is the face-off between Shreyas Iyer and his previous team, KKR, which he led to win the title last year in IPL 2024.