Yuzvendra Chahal heroics help Punjab Kings defend lowest total in IPL history

Proving once again that lowscoring T20 games can be gripping, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) bounced back gallantly after being shot out for a paltry 111 in 15.3 overs at the Mullanpur Stadium on Tuesday. Punjab then dismissed Kolkata Knight Riders for a mere 95 in return, in 15.1 overs.

The result was a sensational 16-run win that sets a new record for the lowest total defended in IPL history . The heroes of PBKS’ stunning win were legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28 in 4 overs) and South African leftarm pacer Marco Jansen (3/17 in 3.1 overs). Though no longer in Team India’s setup, Chahal served a stern reminder to the national selectors, showcasing his immense skill and temperament yet again.

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The 34-yearold removed KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, top-scorer Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh in a magical spell that completely turned the game. From a strong 72/3 in the 10th over, KKR collapsed catastrophically, losing seven wickets for just 23 runs in 36 balls. The defending champions were rattled. A desperate Andre Russell momentarily sparked hope, smashing Chahal for two sixes and a four in the 14th over. But the West Indian’s nightmare continued when he inside-edged a pull off Jansen onto his stumps to seal KKR’s fate.


Ironically, in their previous match, Punjab had posted a mammoth 245/6 only to lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad. Earlier, KKR’s bowlers, led by India pacer Harshit Rana (3/25 in 3 overs), had shot out PBKS for a paltry 111. The Punjab top-order collapsed after a brisk 39-run start in 20 balls by Priyansh Arya (22 off 12) and Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15). They crumbled to 86/8 in 11 overs before Shashank Singh and Bartlett added a crucial 23 off 25 balls for the ninth wicket.


All three top PBKS wickets claimed by Rana were caught by Ramandeep Singh, playing on his home turf, a unique feat in itself. Skipper Shreyas Iyer , facing his former team — which he led to the title last year — fell for a two-ball duck. His previous outing had seen him score a sparkling 82 off 36. KKR’s spinners then took over. Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) and Sunil Narine (2/14) applied pressure.


Narine also broke an IPL record by taking his 36th wicket against PBKS, the most by any bowler against a single franchise in the tournament. PBKS’s Aussie recruits, Josh Inglis (2) and Glenn Maxwell (7), again failed with the bat. Maxwell’s horror run continues — 41 runs in six matches @ 8.20 — though he did take the wicket of Venkatesh Iyer (7). Shashank Singh was dismissed LBW for 18, while Suryansh Shedge, brought in as an ‘Impact Sub’, edged behind while trying to cut Narine, missing a golden chance to impress.