On Tuesday, Punjab Kings made a huge splash in the cricket world with a remarkable feat: they defended a meager total of just 111 runs against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2025 matchup at Mullanpur. This was a groundbreaking moment for the tournament, as it marked the lowest score that has ever been successfully defended in the IPL’s history, which dates back to 2008.
Initially, when the Punjab team was bowled out for 111, it seemed everyone was speculating how quickly KKR would chase down this score. They started strong and appeared to have the game in hand, reaching 60 runs for just two wickets in the first seven overs. But the game took a surprising turn when Punjab’s Yuzvendra Chahal stepped up. Chahal delivered a stellar performance, snatching four wickets for only 28 runs, and turned the match on its head.
Previously, the record for the lowest defended total in IPL belonged to the Chennai Super Kings, who protected a score of 116 runs against PBKS back in 2009. In this exciting game, Chahal’s impressive bowling dismantled KKR’s middle order, leading to their downfall as they were all out for just 95 runs in 15.1 overs.
As for Punjab’s batting, things didn’t go as planned either. They started strong with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh putting up a decent partnership. However, they fell drastically from a promising 39 runs without losing a wicket to a complete collapse, ending their innings at 111 all out in just 15.3 overs. Harshit Rana was particularly effective with the ball for KKR, taking three wickets for 25 runs, and he was well supported by Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, who both bagged two wickets.
In the end, Punjab Kings wrapped up the game with a fascinating 16-run victory, surprising everyone who thought it would be an easy win for Kolkata. Here’s how the scores broke down: Punjab Kings scored 111 runs in 15.3 overs, while Kolkata Knight Riders managed only 95 runs in 15.1 overs.
This match will surely be remembered for its unexpected twists and turns, showcasing how anything can happen in the world of cricket!