Punjab pulls off a miracle, defends 111, beat KKR by 16 runs

In a gripping twist of IPL fate, Punjab Kings (PBKS), once known for their unpredictable flare, have once again stamped their authority on the tournament — this time, by defending the lowest-ever total in IPL history. Under the determined leadership of Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, the side pulled off an unforgettable 111-run defense against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Mullanpur, proving that in cricket, no total is too small if the will to win is big enough.

The moment feels poetic. Just a year ago, at Eden Gardens, a Jonny Bairstow-led PBKS had smashed a mammoth 262-run chase — the highest in T20 history — to defeat Iyer’s KKR in a high-octane encounter. The win had come when PBKS were at a low point in the league. Today, the story has come full circle, with Iyer now leading PBKS to a historic defensive win.

While last year’s chase saw Bairstow (108), Prabhsimran Singh (54), and Shashank Singh (68) outgun KKR’s 261, this time, it was about grit and bowling precision. Despite posting a modest 111, PBKS held their nerves and executed their plans to perfection, thanks to impactful spells from Arshdeep Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Glenn Maxwell.

The ongoing season has seen PBKS transformed — a robust Indian core featuring Prabhsimran, Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Arshdeep, and Yuzvendra Chahal, along with international stalwarts like Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen. Backed by Iyer’s growing legacy and Ponting’s strategic mind, PBKS looks well-equipped to challenge for their maiden IPL title.

KKR, on the other hand, continues to falter. The post-auction shuffle hurt them badly, especially the loss of Phil Salt to RCB. Narine’s inconsistent returns and Quinton de Kock’s struggles at the top have left the batting fragile. Despite some brilliance from bowlers like Harshit Rana (3/25), Varun Chakravarthy (2/21), and Narine (2/14), their batters collapsed under pressure — bundled out for just 95.