IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Defend 111 to Stun Kolkata Knight Riders in Low-Scoring Thriller
Chahal four-for stuns KKR as PBKS defend 111
IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Defend 111 to Stun Kolkata Knight Riders in Low-Scoring Thriller Punjab Kings 111
(Prabhsimran 30, Arya 22, Rana 3-25, Narine 2-14, Varun 2-21) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 95 (Raghuvanshi 37, Chahal 4-28, Jansen 3-17) by 16 runs
In a dramatic turnaround from their previous match where they failed to defend 245, Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a remarkable comeback by defending just 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Mullanpur on April 15. After setting the lowest total in this season of the IPL, PBKS bowled KKR out for a mere 95, pulling off the lowest successful defense in IPL history.
Last year, PBKS made headlines for completing the highest successful chase in the league – also against KKR. This year, they flipped the script entirely, as a fiery bowling display turned what seemed like a straightforward chase for Kolkata into a stunning collapse.
Collapse from a Winning Position
At one stage, KKR were cruising at 62 for 2 and had a 98% chance of winning. But leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal sparked an extraordinary collapse, aided by pace duo Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen, who exploited conditions that offered almost Test-match-like seam movement.
The ball seamed an average of 0.5 degrees throughout the match, making shot-making difficult once wickets started falling. Both teams began with attacking intent, but once breakthroughs came, they came in clusters.
PBKS, after reaching 39 without loss in just 19 balls, lost four wickets in the next 17 deliveries. Their final six wickets added only 37 more runs. KKR were similarly shaky – from 7 for 2, they recovered to 62 before Chahal struck to dismantle the middle order.
Prabhsimran, Arya Provide Early Momentum
KKR’s strategy of adding Anrich Nortje to target PBKS’s young Indian batters initially looked questionable. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya came out firing, especially targeting Vaibhav Arora in the powerplay.
But Harshit Rana changed the momentum with a series of well-directed short balls that exploited the seam-friendly conditions. Arya holed out to deep square leg, Prabhsimran was cramped on a cut shot, and Shreyas Iyer fell to a mistimed cut – all three catches going to Ramandeep Singh.
KKR Spinners Dominate the Middle Overs
Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine dismantled PBKS’s middle order. Josh Inglis, brought in for Marcus Stoinis, misread a googly and was bowled trying to slog-sweep. Glenn Maxwell was deceived by flight and drift, adding to PBKS’s woes.
Sunil Narine removed Impact Player Suryansh Shedge and Marco Jansen in the same over. A miscommunication between Arshdeep and debutant Xavier Bartlett led to a run-out that capped a dismal innings.
Of the 53 balls that were short-pitched (less than 8 meters), KKR’s pacers claimed 4 wickets for just 23 runs. By contrast, 24 fuller deliveries went for 49 runs.
Jansen, Bartlett Set the Tone Early
In defense of the modest total, PBKS’s bowlers came out with intent. Marco Jansen bowled Sunil Narine in the very first over, exploiting the pitch’s uneven bounce. Xavier Bartlett, known for his new-ball exploits in the Big Bash League, dismissed Quinton de Kock with a top-edged flick.
Although Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi stitched together a partnership aided by a few fielding errors, their hopes of a smooth finish quickly unraveled.
Chahal’s Brilliance Turns the Game
Chahal, who had only two wickets from six matches prior, showed why he’s the IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker. Despite dewy conditions making grip difficult, he bowled with sharp turn and clever variations in flight and pace.
He dismissed Rahane (lbw on a sweep), Raghuvanshi (caught at backward point), Rinku Singh (stumped after being dragged out of the crease), and Ramandeep Singh (top-edged paddle to leg slip). His spell – 4 for 28 – turned the tide definitively in PBKS’s favor.
Russell Threatens a Comeback
Andre Russell, who had underwhelmed with the bat so far this season, suddenly exploded. With 33 needed and just two wickets in hand, he smashed Chahal for two sixes and a four in one over, cutting the deficit to 17.
But Arshdeep Singh responded with a high-class over, targeting Arora with hostile short balls. Arora barely survived the over, fending nervously and taking a hit on the arm.
Jansen then returned, and Russell – needing to continue his assault – bottom-edged the first ball of the next over to spark wild celebrations among the PBKS players and home crowd.
A Win That Shakes Up the Table
This win pushes Punjab Kings into the top four of the points table and serves as a major confidence boost, especially following their recent defensive failure. For KKR, the loss is a significant blow, especially given how close they came to sealing the game.
