Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders: In a dramatic turnaround that few saw coming, Punjab Kings (PBKS) stunned Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with a gritty 16-run win in Match 31 of IPL 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Defending a modest total of 111 runs, Punjab’s bowlers rose to the occasion to skittle KKR out for just 95 runs in 15.1 overs, pulling off one of the most unexpected victories of the season.
PBKS Collapse to 111 All Out Despite Fiery Start
After opting to bat first, PBKS seemed to be off to a flier with Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15) and Priyansh Arya (22 off 12) firing early shots. However, the momentum fizzled as KKR’s bowling unit, led by Harshit Rana (3/25) and Sunil Narine (2/14), triggered a collapse.
Shashank Singh tried to stabilize the innings with 18 off 17, but wickets kept tumbling. Varun Chakaravarthy was exceptional once again with 2/21 in his 4 overs, and PBKS were eventually bowled out in just 15.3 overs.
KKR’s Chase Goes Off Track – Chahal and Jansen Turn Game Around
Chasing 112 was expected to be a cakewalk for a power-packed KKR side. However, PBKS had other plans. Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a spin masterclass, ripping through the batting order with figures of 4/28 in 4 overs. The pressure built up, and KKR crumbled under it.
Marco Jansen, the lanky South African left-arm pacer, played a crucial role with the ball, picking 3/17 in 3.1 overs, including the final blow. Glenn Maxwell also chipped in with 1/5 in 2 tidy overs, keeping the scoring rate under control.
Despite a fighting 37 from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and short cameos from Andre Russell (17) and Ajinkya Rahane (17), KKR were bowled out for 95, shocking the fans and experts alike.
Turning Point: Chahal’s Double Blow Breaks KKR Backbone
The turning point came in the 11th over when Chahal removed Andre Russell and then followed up with another scalp, leaving KKR reeling. His clever variations and experience made scoring nearly impossible on a pitch that started gripping and assisting spin.
