PBKS vs KKR Review: Punjab bowlers shine as they defend IPL’s lowest-ever score
Punjab Kings won a low-scoring thriller in Match 31 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League against Kolkata Knight Riders by a 16-run margin at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, April 15. This marked PBKS’s fourth win of the season.
Opting to bat first, PBKS were off to a flier of a start. Their first three overs resulted in 33 being scored. Harshit Rana struck twice, including the huge wicket of Shreyas Iyer for a two-ball duck, in his first over. Josh Inglis’ debut didn’t last long as Varun Chakravarthy struck in his first over as well to dismiss the Australian. Soon, Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed for 30 (15) on the final ball of the powerplay.
Playing his first IPL 2025 game, Anrich Nortje’s first wicket of the evening was Nehal Wadhera (10 off nine) to push PBKS five down. Glenn Maxwell’s disappointing campaign continued, with him being able to score just seven after facing 10 deliveries. Sunil Narine’s double-wicket over left PBKS with only two wickets in the bank. Shashank Singh (18 off 17) and Xavier Bartlett (11 off 15) were the final wickets to fall.
KKR’s opening batters were dismissed within eight balls of the second innings. However, the duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi led their side to calmer waters. Raghuvanshi, in particular, looked in fine nick while stroking boundaries within the powerplay. Bartlett’s three overs cost 30 runs and a wicket while Yuzvendra Chahal struck in his first over to dismiss Rahane for a run-a-ball 17. Raghuvanshi was the next to depart, this time in Chahal’s second over. The 20-year-old scored 37 off 28.
What followed was absolute chaos as overs 11 to 13 resulted in four KKR wickets. The visitors, who were right on top, suddenly found themselves 79/8 at the end of 13 overs. A 16-run final over hit by Andre Russell off Chahal made it seem that the balance was shifted towards KKR. But a wicket-maiden by Arshdeep Singh followed by Marco Jansen dismissing Russell (17 off 11) brought the game to a thrilling end as Punjab Kings defended IPL’s lowest total.
Top Performers
Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37 off 28)
Coming in as an Impact Player, the youngster provided the much-needed momentum to the innings when KKR was in a spot of bother. His counter-attacking knock within the powerplay helped KKR earn the upper hand but it was not meant to be for the team.
Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28 in four overs)
Despite Chahal’s fourth over going for 16, the real damage was done in his first three. It was a completely overpowering effort by the wily leg-spinner. None of the batters he dismissed could pick him as he roared back to form after a quiet season.
What’s next for both sides?
PBKS is set to take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru on Friday, April 18. KKR will take on Gujarat Titans in Kolkata on Monday, April 21. Both games are scheduled to commence on 7:30 pm (IST).
