In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, Punjab Kings (PBKS) triumphed over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 16 runs, defending the lowest total in IPL history. After being dismissed for just 111 in 15.3 overs, PBKS managed to bowl KKR out for a mere 95 in 15.1 overs, securing a historic win.
KKR’s chase faltered early with Xavier Bartlett and Marco Jansen striking in the first two overs, removing Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine. A 55-run third-wicket partnership between Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37 off 28) and Ajinkya Rahane (17 off 17) provided some resistance, but the dismissal of Rahane LBW by Yuzvendra Chahal triggered a collapse. Chahal followed up by dismissing Raghuvanshi in his next over, and with further wickets from Glenn Maxwell, Jansen, and Chahal, KKR were reduced to 79-8.
Andre Russell, the last man standing, tried to keep KKR in the game with a quickfire 17 off 11 balls, but he was eventually dismissed, ending KKR’s hopes of a comeback.
Earlier, PBKS had struggled to build a strong innings after being put into bat. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy led KKR’s bowling attack, dismissing key PBKS batsmen, including Shreyas Iyer for a duck. Despite contributions from a few PBKS players, including Priyansh Arya (22 off 12), the team was bowled out for just 111. Narine and Chakravarthy claimed two wickets each, while the pace duo of Anrich Nortje and Harshit Rana also played vital roles in restricting PBKS.
In the end, it was PBKS’s bowlers who shone the brightest, with Chahal claiming four wickets and Jansen picking up three, leading the team to a remarkable victory and setting a new record for the lowest total ever defended in IPL history.
