The Punjab Kings (PBKS) stunned the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by defending a total of just 112 runs, marking the lowest successfully defended total in IPL history.
In a match filled with twists, KKR, cruising at 62/2, suffered a dramatic collapse, losing eight wickets for just 33 runs to be bowled out for 95 in the 16th over.
PBKS’ bowling attack, led by Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28) and Marco Jansen (3/17), turned the game around after KKR’s promising start. Chahal, IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker, showcased his brilliance by bowling 14 dot balls and dismantling KKR’s middle order. Jansen cleaned up Andre Russell to seal the victory.
The win is a stark contrast to the same fixture last year, when PBKS recorded the highest successful chase in IPL history by chasing down 262.
Key Moments of the Match
- Early blows: KKR lost Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock early, reducing them to 7/2.
- Raghuvanshi-Rahane partnership: Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane rebuilt KKR’s innings with a 55-run stand.
- PBKS’ fightback: Chahal and Maxwell ripped through KKR’s middle order, triggering an astonishing collapse.
- Russell’s final effort: Russell smashed two sixes and a four, but his resistance was short-lived as Jansen cleaned him up.
- The final wickets: Arshdeep Singh and Jansen finished the job, dismissing KKR for 95.
PBKS’ remarkable triumph is a testament to their determined bowling display and strategic execution under pressure. The match adds another chapter to IPL’s unpredictable and thrilling legacy.
