IPL 2025: PBKS beat KKR, defend lowest-ever total (111)
What's the story
Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 31 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur.
In an anti-climax, the Kings successfully defended 111 after being bowled out. KKR, who suffered early blows, were cruising at 62/2..
However, an incredible four-wicket haul from Yuzvendra Chahal turned the match upside down. KKR, who perished for 95, lost by 16 runs.
PBKS
PBKS's innings derail after positive start
Electing to bat, PBKS had a solid start as openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh added 39 runs.
However, Rana's brilliance brought them down to 54/4.
Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy struck in the middle overs, with PBKS slumping to 86. They shared four wickets as PBKS perished for 111 in 15.3 overs.
Shashank Singh's valuable 18 (17) propelled the Kings past 100.
KKR
KKR falter following Raghuvanshi-Rahane stand
KKR suffered turbulence early in the run-chase, having lost Quinton de Kock and Narine. This reduced them to 7/2 (1.2 overs).
Raghuvanshi, who came in as an Impact Player, launched a counter-attack thereafter. His 28-ball 37 (5 fours and 1 six) helped KKR's cause.
However, KKR went from 62/2 to 76/7 with Chahal's quick four-fer. They were eventually bowled out for 95 (15.1 overs).
Chahal
Chahal hands KKR quick blows
Chahal broke the partnership between Rahane and Raghuvanshi by dismissing the former. He was trapped LBW.
The wrist-spinner then dismissed Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh in quick succession.
Jansen also contributed by dismissing Harshit Rana, leading to a rapid collapse of KKR's batting line-up from 72/3 to 79/8.
PBKS evaded the Andre Russell (17) threat, the last batter to depart.
Bowling
Chahal enters record books
Chahal took four wickets for just 28 runs in four overs.
The PBKS leg-spinner recorded his eighth four-wicket haul in the IPL, the joint-most for a player with Narine (8).
Lasith Malinga follows the duo with seven such hauls.
As per Cricbuzz, this was Chahal's third four-plus wicket haul against KKR, the most for a bowler against an opponent in the IPL.
Rana
The pick of KKR's bowlers
Harshit Rana was the pick of KKR's bowlers. He took three wickets for 25 runs from his three overs.
Rana broke the crucial opening partnership by dismissing Arya. He sent PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer back for a duck in the same over.
Rana next dismissed Prabhsimran, which further brought PBKS down to 54/4.
In seven matches this IPL season, Rana has taken 10 wickets.
Milestone
Most IPL wickets against KKR
Chahal unlocked another massive achievement. He became the highest wicket-taker against KKR in the IPL.
The wrist-spinner surpassed Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who owns 32 wickets in this regard.
In 23 IPL matches, Chahal has snapped up 33 wickets at an average of 20.75 against the Knight Riders. His economy rate reads 7.96.
Notably, Chahal also has 32 wickets against PBKS in the IPL.
Spin duo
Chakravarthy, Narine shine for KKR
Spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine was once again on fire.
The former knocked over Josh Inglis (2) and Glenn Maxwell (7). He conceded just 21 runs in four overs.
His compatriot Narine dismissed Suryansh Shedge (4) and Marco Jansen (1) toward the end. The Caribbean spinner conceded only 14 runs from his three overs.
Battle
Glenn Maxwell vs Varun Chakravarthy
As per ESPNcricinfo, Chakravarthy has now dismissed Maxwell as many as four times in seven T20 innings. They have only met in the IPL so far.
Maxwell's average against Chakravarthy reads 11.50. However, he has a healthy strike-rate (148.38) in this regard.
The Aussie batter has racked up 46 runs off 31 balls against the mystery spinner in the format.
Information
Maxwell's forgettable IPL 2025 season
Maxwell has had a forgettable IPL 2025 season so far. His scores read 0, 30, 1, 3, and 7. As per Cricbuzz, Maxwell has amassed just 93 runs in his last 14 IPL innings (Average: 6.64).
Narine
Most wickets against a team in IPL
Narine has unlocked another achievement. He is now the highest wicket-taker against Punjab Kings in IPL.
Narine surpassed Indian seamer Umesh Yadav, who scalped 35 wickets at an average of 17.88 against the Kings.
Only one other bowler has taken more than 30 wickets in this regard.
With 36, the former now has the most wickets against a team in the IPL.
Total
PBKS's third-lowest all-out total in IPL
PBKS's 111 is their third-lowest all-out total in the IPL.
As per Cricbuzz, this is only behind 73 (vs RPS, Pune, 2017), 88 (vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2015), and 88 (vs RCB, Indore, 2018).
This was also only the second instance of PBKS getting bowled out against KKR. They perished for 137 at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2022.
Information
PBKS enter record books
However, PBKS bounced back by defending the lowest-ever total in IPL history, as per Cricbuzz. They surpassed 116/9 by Chennai Super Kings against Punjab Kings from the 2009 IPL edition in Durban.