The true IPL fans have certainly witnessed many upsets in the tournament over the years but what happened on Tuesday night at Mullanpur Cricket Stadium was something different.
In what turned out to be one of the most sensational upsets in the history of the IPL, Punjab Kings pulled off a dramatic 16-run win against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium. Despite posting a modest total of just 111 runs, Punjab turned the tide with an inspired bowling performance that left the reigning champions in disbelief.
The Punjab Kings batting unit had faltered badly, unable to find momentum as Kolkata’s bowlers, particularly Harshit Rana, dominated the innings. Harshit Rana finished with impressive figures, picking up three wickets for just 25 runs in his three overs, helping to dismiss Punjab for what appeared to be an underwhelming score.
But it was with the ball that Punjab Kings came alive. Yuzvendra Chahal, with all his experience and control, took charge of the innings and delivered a masterclass in spin bowling. Finishing with four wickets for 28 runs, he became the central figure in what would go on to become a historic defense. Marco Jansen backed him brilliantly, claiming three wickets for just 17 runs, striking early and returning to clean up the tail. Marco Jansen, along with debutant Xavier Bartlett, removed the dangerous opening pair of Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock within the first two overs, setting the tone for the collapse.
While Kolkata’s Angkrish Raghuvanshi put up some resistance with a 28-ball 37, he found little support at the other end. The rest of the batting line-up struggled under pressure, with contributions from Glenn Maxwell and Arshdeep Singh further stifling the chase.
The outcome marked a new milestone in the IPL records. Punjab Kings now holds the distinction of defending the lowest ever total in a full 20-over match, surpassing the 116-run defense by Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab back in 2009. Additionally, the match entered the books as the third lowest aggregate in the IPL history, overtaking the 314-run combined score between MI and KKR earlier in 2024.
What seemed like a one-sided game at the halfway mark turned into an unforgettable night of cricket, thanks to the grit and tenacity of Punjab’s bowling unit — anchored by the ever-reliable Yuzvendra Chahal.
