IPL 2025, PBKS vs KKR Highlights: Chahal and Jansen’s stunning 7-Wicket haul snatches victory from KKR’s Grasp, Punjab climb to 4th Place.
Brief score: PBKS- 111 all out (Prabhsimran Singh 30, Harshit Rana 3/25, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/21) beat KKR- 95 all out (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 37, Yuzvendra Chahal 4/28, Marco Jansen 3/17)
Today’s game between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was a testament of how IPL is not only about sky rocketing targets. The game was dominated by bowlers throughout and a good tussle was seen between both the sides. Experienced leg spinner- Yuzvendra Chahal once again proved his mettle at the biggest stage and why is one of the smartest bowlers in the business.
Highlights of PBKS vs KKR game
Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy rushed through Punjab
With a blazing spell in powerplay by young Delhi pacer- Harshit Rana, KKR dominated the game in the first innings. Like other days, the duo of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh looked lethal but only till the ball was given to Rana. By grabbing the wickets of Arya and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession, Harshit was on the driving seat.
The reason for Harshit Rana’s success was his varying pace. While some of his deliveries were clocking beyond 140 kmph, others were below 130. With his cutters and cross seam deliveries, batters were finding it hard. Plus, when he was using his shoulder to extract some bounce, the ball was nipping well. Thus, with all these combined elements, he was accurate and hard to face.
After Rana’s courtesies, it was Varun Chakaravarthy who ensured that the opponents didn’t recover from the early damage. With the wrong one’s, he was successful in dismissing Glenn Maxwell and debutant Josh Inglis. With his action and variations, it’s hard for a batsman to predict what’s coming. He would bowl a couple of googlies and then a flipper that would just skid onto the stumps. Plus, another thing that makes Varun a wicket taking bowler is his quality of hitting the stumps. Very rarely do we see him not targeting the stumps and hence the options of bowled LBW are always open for him. Moreover, that doesn’t give batters a chance to free their arms.
Read More: ‘Switch on, Switch off’ – Mixed ride so far for LSG & KKR in IPL 2025
The moment where Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game 🪄#TATAIPL | #PBKSvKKR | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/D2O5ImOSf4
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2025
Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen turned things around for Punjab
KKR were highly mistaken if they thought that chasing 112 was a piece of cake for their star studded batting line. Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen came with an agenda of spoiling their party and they did the same by delivering quality spells.
Yuzvendra Chahal, the star of the night, was exceptional with his quota of four overs. In the first three overs, he took 4 wickets and gave away only 12 runs. Mind you, those wickets were of Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer and Ramandeep Singh, the pillars of KKR’s batting line up. However, in his last over, Russell smashed the leggie for 16 runs! Thus the match was juggling between both sides.
But the way Chahal was playing with the minds of the batter is something to appreciate. The way he trapped Ramandeep Singh with close in fields just created the right pressure.
Later, it was Marco Jansen who took care of the other end. By bowling a mix of short balls, from both around and over the stumps, he made his strategies very unpredictable.
Overall, Punjab was on fire today as they managed to defend one of the lowest totals in the history of IPL. Paradoxically, they failed to defend 245 in their last match against SRH. Fascinating how unpredictable the game can get!
The previous lowest target defended in a completed 20-over match in IPL was 117 by CSK against KXIP in IPL 2009.
The new record is 112 successfully defended by PBKS against KKR in IPL 2025.
Read More: IPL 2025, SRH vs PBKS, Highlights: Abhishek Sharma tsunami leaves Punjab clueless; Sunrisers win
Way forward
With today’s setback, KKR will definitely be low on confidence. Losing a game which they could conveniently win will surely pinch them for a while. But ultimately, it’s part and parcel of the game and hence, they need to regroup and think how they can solidify their batting line up even more. PBKS on the other hand, pulled a rabbit out of the hat and hence, they will be delighted with such a thrilling evening. With two points, they are at the fourth spot now.
Top Twitter/X Reactions from PBKS vs KKR, Mohali, IPL 2025
Craziest, most topsy-turvy match in IPL history I would think. To defend 111 against a strong batting line up tells a story of fantastic bowling and a never-say-die attitude. Well played Punjab!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 15, 2025
One of the greats of the #IPL has shown his class. @yuzi_chahal. Wow!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 15, 2025
High time Rahane the team man becomes a bit selfish. He should realise, he is KKR's main batsman, he needs to take DRS if there is slightest of doubts.#KKRvPBKS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 15, 2025
Yuzi Chahal is bowling slow. He is back. Brilliant stuff this.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 15, 2025
Lowest total defended in the IPL, great effort from @PunjabKingsIPL and @yuzi_chahal was magical 👏🏻 #PBKSvKKR #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/sKlFBG28Wz
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) April 15, 2025
Read More: IPL 2025, CSK vs KKR, Highlights: Harshit, spinners bulldoze CSK; Chepauk Fortress breached again
