Synopsis
Yuzvendra Chahal's remarkable bowling performance led Punjab Kings to a stunning 16-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. Chahal's figures of 4-28 were pivotal in defending the low score of 111, marking a historic win for Punjab at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.Key Takeaways
- Chahal's
- Marco Jansen
- Punjab Kings defended the lowest total in IPL history.
- KKR's middle order crumbled under pressure.
- Punjab's bowlers showcased exceptional skills.
New Chandigarh, April 15 (NationPress) Yuzvendra Chahal achieved his career-best figures in the tournament, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, while pacer Marco Jansen contributed with three wickets, leading Punjab Kings to a thrilling 16-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Punjab's bowlers displayed exceptional courage to pull off this thriller, successfully defending the lowest total in IPL history.
Earlier, Harshit Rana took three wickets, while spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine each took two wickets, bowling out Punjab Kings for 111 runs in just 15.3 overs.
Chasing a target of 112, Kolkata lost both openers, Sunil Narine (5) and Quinton de Kock (2), quickly as Marco Jansen and debutant Xavier Bartlett provided early breakthroughs for Punjab.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi took a cautious approach, steering the score to 55/2 at the end of the powerplay. The duo formed a 60-run partnership, making KKR look confident about winning the match.
However, Yuzvendra Chahal turned the tide for Punjab by dismissing Rahane (17) in the eighth over. In his subsequent over, he also sent Raghuvanshi back, who scored 37 runs including five fours and a six after coming in as an impact substitute.
KKR's middle order collapsed as Venkatesh Iyer (7), Rinku Singh (2), and Ramandeep Singh (0) played reckless shots against the spinners. Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora also succumbed to the pressure and lost their wickets quickly.
In a last-ditch effort, Andre Russell provided some hope with his aggressive play, but Marco Jansen dismissed him for 17 runs, enabling Punjab to defend the lowest total in IPL history.
Punjab Kings opted to bat first and had a promising start, with openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya pushing aggressively against Anrich Nortje and Vaibhav Arora in the powerplay. Arya particularly targeted Nortje, hitting two fours in his first over.
In the following over, Prabhsimran accelerated, scoring two fours and a six, bringing the total to 20 runs in that over.
However, Harshit Rana's entry into the attack in the fourth over provided some relief for KKR as he dismissed Arya for 22, with Ramandeep Singh taking a brilliant catch in the deep. Just before this, Arya had launched a huge six off Rana.
Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer joined Prabhsimran but was dismissed for a two-ball duck, marking the beginning of a severe batting collapse for the home side.
To capitalize on the situation, Rahane introduced Varun Chakaravarthy, who successfully dismissed IPL debutant Josh Inglis (2) during the powerplay.
Despite Prabhsimran's efforts to relieve the pressure with two consecutive sixes off Harshit, the latter ultimately prevailed. Prabhsimran was out after scoring 30 runs off just 15 balls, including three sixes and two fours, leaving Punjab at 54/4 at the end of the powerplay.
Punjab’s woes continued as Nehal Wadhera (10), who had a promising start, lost his wicket to Nortje in the ninth over. Chakaravarthy then dismissed Glenn Maxwell (7) in the next over for his second wicket of the night.
Narine, bowling from the other end, removed impact substitute Suryansh Shedge (4) and Marco Jansen (1) in the same over, leaving Punjab struggling at 86/8 after 11 overs.
Shashank Singh, trying to guide the team to a respectable total, was trapped LBW by Vaibhav Arora, ensuring he did not waste a crucial opportunity. Shashank contributed 18 runs with a six and a four.
Ultimately, a mix-up between Arshdeep Singh and Xavier Bartlett led to Bartlett's dismissal, as Punjab Kings were all out for 111/10 in 15.3 overs.
Brief scores: Punjab Kings 111/10 in 15.3 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 30, Priyanash Arya 22; Harshit Rana 3-25, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-21, Sunil Narine 2-14) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 95/10 in 15.1 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 37, Andre Russell 17; Yuzvendra Chahal 4-28, Marco Jansen 3-17) by 16 runs.
