What was expected to be a routine chase for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) delivered one of its wildest twists. Punjab Kings, bowled out for just 111, turned the game on its head with a staggering comeback powered by spin, discipline, and nerves of steel. KKR, cruising at one point, fell to pieces in a collapse that will haunt them for seasons.
Flying Start, Sudden Crash
Punjab Kings came out swinging, with Prabhsimran Singh and southpaw Priyansh Arya showing no nerves in the first three overs. They capitalised on Vaibhav Arora’s medium pace, racing to 39 without loss in 3.1 overs. Arya hit a six and a four off Anrich Nortje, while Prabhsimran showcased his range with ramps and flicks. But just when it seemed PBKS were setting up for a big total, the script flipped dramatically.
Harshit Rana’s Game-Changer Spell
Harshit Rana’s introduction marked the beginning of a steady collapse. He dismissed Arya with a short ball after being hit for six first up. Two balls later, Shreyas Iyer fell for a duck thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Ramandeep. Rana returned to end Prabhsimran’s enterprising 30 in the final over of the powerplay, leaving PBKS gasping at 54/4. All three of Rana’s wickets were caught by Ramandeep, each one more crucial than the last.
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Spin Web Chokes the Middle Order
The spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine took over from there, reducing the PBKS middle order to rubble. Varun bamboozled Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell—both clean bowled by googlies. Maxwell’s dismissal continued his lean patch, and his numbers since 2024 (Avg 6.64, 5 ducks) paint a grim picture. The mystery spin proved too much for the lower order as well, with Suryansh Shedge and Marco Jansen falling without resistance. Narine, in particular, toyed with the batters using subtle variations in pace and trajectory.
From 39/0 to 111 All Out: A Freefall
After a blazing start, PBKS managed just 72 runs for 10 wickets in 11.5 overs. A late strike from Vaibhav Arora removing Shashank Singh and a run-out capped off the collapse. The tail offered no resistance, and what looked like a 180-track saw PBKS skittled for 111. It was their fourth-lowest all-out total in IPL history, and only the second time they’ve been bowled out against KKR. Ricky Ponting’s stunned expression in the dugout said it all—a complete meltdown after a position of strength.
Dream Start Undone in a Blink
Chasing just 112, KKR looked to wrap up proceedings in a canter. Despite losing Narine early to a sharp Jansen delivery and de Kock skying one off Xavier Bartlett in the second over, Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi seemed to be sailing. Raghuvanshi, in particular, took charge with crisp strokes, lifting KKR to 55/2 at the end of the powerplay. The chase appeared well in control, and Punjab Kings’ low total looked woefully short—until Yuzvendra Chahal entered the equation.
Chahal’s Comeback Spell Turns the Game
Rahane’s misjudged sweep against Chahal triggered a remarkable shift. The veteran leggie then removed Raghuvanshi next over, drawing him into an edge with dip and turn. Suddenly, KKR were 72/4, and Punjab sniffed a miracle. Chahal wasn’t done—he returned to dismiss Rinku Singh with a perfectly tossed-up leg break that tripped him both literally and figuratively, followed by trapping Ramandeep Singh off a harmless full toss on the very next ball. His figures read 4-0-28-4, but it was the impact that mattered more than the economy.
Middle-Order Mayhem and Russell’s Lone Stand
Maxwell chipped in with a crucial wicket, deceiving Venkatesh Iyer with a skidding straight ball. As wickets tumbled, Andre Russell walked in with mismatched boots and a mountain to climb. He teased a revival by smashing Chahal for two sixes and a four in his final over, reminding everyone of his old menace. But Russell’s effort came far too late, with the lower order collapsing around him. KKR had lost six wickets for just 17 runs, a collapse of the highest order given the context.
Jansen Seals a Historic Win
At 96/8, with Russell looking like the last hope, Arshdeep produced a wicket-maiden—bowling like a fourth-innings Test pacer to dismiss Vaibhav Arora and isolate Russell. The drama peaked whenJansen, returning to bowl the 16th, sent down a sharp short ball that Russell could only bottom-edge onto his stumps. That was it. KKR, from cruising at 62/2, were bowled out for 95, handing Punjab the lowest successful defence in IPL history. Only days after failing to defend 245, PBKS pulled off a miracle that will go down as one of the league’s most dramatic turnarounds.
A game that began with a run-glut expectation turned into a masterclass in pressure bowling. For Punjab, this wasn’t just about defending 111—it was about grit, character, and answering criticism with courage. For KKR, it’s a reminder that no chase is a formality in this format. As the IPL table tightens, this one will echo for a long time.
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