Punjab Kings Defeat KKR by 16 Runs in Low-Scoring IPL 2025 Clash
In Match 31 of the IPL 2025 season, held on Tuesday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, Punjab Kings showcased their dominance with a 16-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in a low-scoring thriller.
The match was heavily dictated by bowlers from both sides, but Punjab Kings managed to prevail through exceptional bowling performances, particularly by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and pacer Marco Jansen. Kolkata Knight Riders, chasing a modest target of 112, were bowled out for 95 runs in 15.1 overs.
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the team could only muster 111 runs before being bowled out in 15.3 overs. For Kolkata, Harshit Rana led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine picked up two each. Vaibhav Arora and Anrich Nortje claimed one wicket apiece.
Kolkata Knight Riders faltered early in their chase. Openers Quinton de Kock (2) and Sunil Narine (5) failed to provide a solid start, with Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett removing them in consecutive overs. Captain Ajinkya Rahane (17 off 17 balls, 1 four, 1 six) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37 off 28 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) attempted to stabilize the innings. Raghuvanshi played an aggressive knock, but both batsmen were dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal, with Rahane falling at 62 and Raghuvanshi at 72, putting Kolkata in a tight spot.
Subsequent wickets fell in quick succession as Venkatesh Iyer (7), Rinku Singh (2), and Ramandeep Singh (0) were dismissed by Glenn Maxwell and Chahal. Despite a late flourish from Andre Russell, who scored 17 off 11 balls (1 four, 2 sixes), Marco Jansen bowled him out, sealing Kolkata’s fate.
Ultimately, Kolkata Knight Riders were bundled out for 95 in 15.1 overs. Among the Punjab bowlers, Yuzvendra Chahal starred with four wickets, while Marco Jansen took three. Arshdeep Singh, Glenn Maxwell, and Xavier Bartlett each contributed with one wicket, playing crucial roles in Punjab’s triumph.