Punjab Kings pulled off a remarkable comeback in the 2025 IPL as they defended 111 to win by 16 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders today (April 15) in Mullanpur.
The game ebbed and flowed before a thrilling end saw Punjab Kings edge out a nail-biting win against the defending champions. Batting first, PBKS managed 39 in the first 3.1 overs, but regular wickets saw them stumble to 86-8 at one stage. However, a match-winning stand between Shashank Singh (18) and Xavier Bartlett (11) saw them over the 110-run mark, as they were eventually dismissed for 111. Harshit Rana was the star for KKR with three wickets, with spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine grabbing two each.
It was always expected to be an easy chase for KKR, who needed to overhaul the target in 14.1 overs to go on top of the table. However, they lost their openers Quinton de Kock and Narine in the space of three balls, but Ajinkya Rahane (17) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37) kept them afloat. Skipper Rahane’s wicket, though, was the game-changer. He was given out lbw - with replays later suggesting it would have missed the stumps.
KKR lost their last eight wickets for only 33 runs, and though Andre Russell (17) smashed a couple of big sixes, he did not find any support. KKR were eventually bowled out in 15.1 overs, as Punjab successfully defended the lowest total in a 20-over IPL game. Yuzvendra Chahal was the wrecker-in-chief for the hosts, picking up 4-28 in four overs.
Match 31, Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
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- Ball by ball Over
This is the second Punjab-Kolkata game in two seasons that have ended with a record win: KKR had also allowed PBKS to chase down the highest ever successful T20 target last year, as they overhauled a target of 261, winning by eight wickets.
Lowest totals successfull defended in IPL (excluding curtailed games):
| Target | Match | Venue | Year |
| 111 | PBKS vs KKR | Mullanpur | 2025 |
| 116/9 | CSK vs PBKS | Durban | 2009 |
| 118 | SRH vs MI | Mumbai WS | 2018 |
| 119/8 | PBKS vs MI | Durban | 2009 |
| 119/8 | SRH vs PWI | Pune | 2013 |
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