Match 42 of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) witnessed another high-scoring thriller at the iconic Eden Gardens as Punjab Kings pulled off a fantastic win against Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets on April 26.
KKR Post 200+ Total
Choosing to bat first, KKR’s opening duo of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt displayed aggressive batting from the outset, forging an impressive 138-run partnership that laid a strong foundation for the hosts to achieve another substantial total.
At 12.3 overs, with the scoreboard reading 163/2, Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer stepped in to push the score beyond 200 at the earliest opportunity.
Punjab’s bowling attack struggled to make an impact in the first innings, with skipper Sam Curran and Rahul Chahar managing to claim just one wicket each. Arshdeep Singh also contributed with two wickets towards the end.
Venkatesh Iyer’s quickfire 39* off 22 balls was complemented by skipper Shreyas Iyer’s 28 runs, as the match witnessed another 200+ total at the iconic Eden Gardens, with KKR setting an imposing target of 262 runs for Punjab Kings.
With key players like Shikhar Dhawan absent from the visitors’ lineup, securing the victory and earning two points will prove to be a formidable challenge for the Men in Red.
Bairstow’s 108* Takes PBKS To Highest Ever Chase
In reply, Punjab openers Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow started brilliantly and had the KKR bowlers gasping for air in the powerplay.
With the score at 93/1 at the end of the 6th over, Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed after a 20-ball half-century courtesy of a run-out by Sunil Narine. Jonny Bairstow, however, continued his power-hitting and reached a swashbuckling century within 45 deliveries on the night.
Bairstow and Prabhsimran Singh’s knock gave the game a normal look with 32 runs to win from 17 deliveries in the end. With Shashank Singh and Bairstow on the crease, the former also reached his half-century within 23 balls with a selection of sixes on the night.
Kolkata Knight Riders were eventually on the receiving end of the league’s highest-ever successful chase in the history of the tournament.
Also Read: IPL 2024: Narine-Salt Blitz Takes KKR To Another Mammoth Total vs Punjab
