Punjab Kings have scripted history as the team won by 16 runs defending a target of 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Mullanpur. PBKS defended the lowest ever total in the history of IPL, led by Yuzvendra Chahal’s crucial four-wicket haul which turned the match in the favour of Punjab Kings. With this there is again a shift in IPL points table and Punjab Kings is now on 4th position while KKR is struggling at 6th. With this incredible performance PBKS are strong contender in the IPL 2025 playoffs race.
After the match, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting reflected on the win and referred it as the best win he has ever had as coach.
“The heart rate is still up there … two days ago we couldn’t chase 240 off … small chases like this, the wicket was easy. How about Chahal tonight? He actually had a fitness test before the game tonight … I asked him if he was okay, he said he was ready to go … even if we had lost that game, I couldn’t have been prouder of us in the second half, the batting was poor, but … if we had gone down in a close one, I thought this was a season defining moment. I reckon at the half way mark there weren’t too many people around the world who would have defended that … That might just be about the best win I’ve ever had as coach.”
Kolkata Knight Riders’ innings were piled up at the mere score of 95, with Chahal taking 4 wickets, Marco Jansen – 3 wickets. Both the bowlers brought a storm on field and made sure they defended the lowest total in IPL history.