Key Points:
- Punjab Kings defended the lowest total in IPL history, winning by 16 runs after posting just 111.
- Yuzvendra Chahal starred with 4 wickets, equaling Sunil Narine’s record for most four-wicket hauls in IPL.
- KKR collapsed from 62/2 to 95 all out, losing 8 wickets for just 33 runs.
- The match’s combined total of 206 runs is the third lowest for both teams all out in IPL history.
- Marco Jansen supported with 3 wickets; PBKS’s win follows their record run-chase against KKR last season.
New Delhi: In a match packed with drama and records, Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off the impossible by defending a mere 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. This is now the lowest total ever successfully defended in the history of the Indian Premier League, surpassing the previous record of 116 set by Chennai Super Kings in 2009.
PBKS Batting: Early Promise, Sudden Collapse
Opting to bat first, PBKS got off to a flying start with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh racing to 39 in just 19 balls. However, KKR’s bowlers, led by Harshit Rana (3/25), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/21), and Sunil Narine (2/14), triggered a collapse. Punjab lost wickets in clusters, with only Prabhsimran Singh (30) offering resistance. The team was bundled out for 111 in 15.3 overs, leaving fans and pundits expecting a straightforward chase for KKR.
KKR’s Chase: From Cruise Control to Catastrophe
KKR’s reply started shakily, losing Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine early. Ajinkya Rahane (17) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37) steadied the ship, taking the score to 62/2. With just 50 needed from 75 balls, KKR seemed set for victory. But the introduction of Yuzvendra Chahal changed everything. Chahal dismissed Rahane LBW, then removed Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh in quick succession, sparking a dramatic collapse.
KKR lost eight wickets for just 33 runs, with Marco Jansen (3/17) and Glenn Maxwell also chipping in. Andre Russell’s late cameo (17 off 11) was not enough, as KKR were bowled out for 95 in 15.1 overs, handing PBKS a sensational 16-run win.
Chahal’s Record-Breaking Night
Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4/28 not only earned him Player of the Match but also saw him equal Sunil Narine’s record for most four-wicket hauls in IPL history. Chahal also became the first bowler to take three four-wicket hauls against KKR, underlining his dominance in the league.
Most Four-Wicket Hauls in IPL
| Player | 4+ Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 8 |
| Sunil Narine | 8 |
| Lasith Malinga | 7 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 6 |
| Amit Mishra | 5 |
Chahal now has 33 wickets against KKR, making him one of the most successful bowlers against a single team in IPL history.
More Records Tumble
- Lowest Totals Defended in IPL:
- 111 – PBKS vs KKR, Mullanpur, 2025
- 116/9 – CSK vs PBKS, Durban, 2009
- 118 – SRH vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2018[3]
- Third Lowest Combined All-Out Total: The match aggregate of 206 runs is the third lowest for both teams all out in IPL history, behind only KKR vs RCB (180 in 2017) and MI vs SRH (205 in 2018).
Reactions and Aftermath
The win sparked wild celebrations in the PBKS camp, with co-owner Preity Zinta embracing Chahal after his match-winning spell[6]. The result is even more remarkable considering that in the same fixture last season, PBKS chased down a record 262 against KKR.
“Punjab Kings have just scripted one of the most jaw-dropping heists in the history of the Indian Premier League. Rising from the ashes in dramatic fashion, the Kings have defended the lowest-ever total in a full 20-over IPL game.”
Punjab’s historic win not only boosts their playoff hopes but also cements this match as one of the greatest low-scoring thrillers in IPL history.
