PBKS vs KKR Highlights: Chahal’s Four-Wicket Haul Seals Historic PBKS Win as They Defend Just 111 vs KKR
In a dramatic turn of events during IPL 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) delivered one of the most astonishing wins in the tournament’s history, successfully defending a meager total of 111 runs against the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). In what turned out to be a low-scoring thriller, Yuzvendra Chahal’s stunning 4-wicket spell derailed KKR’s run chase, despite them being heavily favored at one stage.
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| Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates 4-wicket haul as Punjab Kings defend 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025 low-scoring thriller. |
After being set a modest
target of 112, KKR were cruising at 62 for 2, looking destined to
secure an easy win. But a sensational collapse, orchestrated by Chahal and
aided by some fiery short-pitched bowling from Arshdeep Singh and Marco
Jansen, saw KKR bundled out for just 95, giving PBKS a 16-run
victory and a place in the top four of the IPL 2025 points table.
Let’s dive deep into the
match-defining moments and the key performances that made this encounter one
for the IPL history books.
PBKS vs KKR Score Summary – IPL 2025
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): 111 all out in 19.1 overs
- Prabhsimran Singh – 30
- Priyansh Arya – 22
- Harshit Rana – 3/25
- Sunil Narine – 2/14
- Varun Chakravarthy – 2/21
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 95 all out in
16.3 overs
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi – 37
- Yuzvendra Chahal – 4/28
- Marco Jansen – 3/17
Punjab Kings beat Kolkata
Knight Riders by 16 runs
Historic Win for PBKS: From Highest Chase to Lowest Defense
It’s been a season of
extremes for Punjab Kings. Last year, they pulled off the highest successful
chase in IPL history—against the same opponents, KKR. Fast forward to 2025,
and they’ve now defended the lowest total this season, showcasing their
bowling prowess in dramatically contrasting conditions.
Just a match ago, PBKS
had failed to defend 245 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. But here, in
a game where the pitch aided seam movement and bounce, they managed to
dismantle the KKR batting lineup despite putting up only 111 on the board.
Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya Give PBKS a Positive Start
PBKS openers Prabhsimran
Singh and Priyansh Arya came out attacking, especially targeting Vaibhav
Arora’s second over, hinting at a potential big total again. The intent was
clear: maximize the powerplay despite the tricky conditions.
However, the tide turned
quickly. Harshit Rana used shorter lengths effectively, and the PBKS
innings quickly unraveled:
- Arya fell to a short ball, caught at deep
square leg.
- Prabhsimran was cramped on the cut and fell
for 30.
- Shreyas Iyer, who had been promoted, was caught at deep point.
All three wickets fell to
deliveries that reared up and held off the surface, showing how valuable
shorter lengths were on this Mullanpur pitch.
KKR Spinners Clean Up the Middle Order
PBKS had brought in Josh
Inglis for Marcus Stoinis, reinforcing their batting. But both Inglis
and Glenn Maxwell struggled against spin. Inglis was bowled by a Varun Chakravarthy wrong’un, and Maxwell fell looking for a single.
Sunil Narine then struck twice in one over, dismissing Impact
Player Suryansh Shedge and Marco Jansen, while a run-out
involving debutant Xavier Bartlett ended PBKS’ innings for just 111.
The KKR seamers were
extremely effective with the short ball, taking 4 for 23 off deliveries
pitched shorter than 8 meters, while fuller deliveries went for 49 runs off 24
balls.
Jansen and Bartlett Start the Fightback
In a match that needed an
inspired bowling effort, Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett
delivered upfront.
- Jansen cleaned up Sunil Narine with a
rising delivery that seamed back sharply.
- Bartlett, making his IPL debut, dismissed Quinton
de Kock with a traditional length delivery that produced a massive
top-edge.
Even though KKR’s Ajinkya
Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi stitched a partnership, a few missed
chances and fielding errors allowed the pair to build. Still, PBKS knew one
wicket could turn things around.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s Magical Spell Turns the Match
IPL’s highest
wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal, who had a quiet start to the season, was
under pressure. Having taken just two wickets in six matches, he even had to
undergo a fitness test before getting a spot in this match.
He repaid the faith in
spectacular fashion:
- Rahane was out LBW trying a sweep, failing to review what
was a marginal call.
- Raghuvanshi, who top-scored with 37, was deceived in flight and
edged to backward point.
- Rinku Singh was drawn out by the dip and was stumped.
- Ramandeep Singh, looking to paddle-sweep first ball,
top-edged to leg slip.
Despite being hit for 16
runs in one over by Andre Russell, Chahal ended with match-winning
figures of 4-0-28-4, bringing PBKS back into the game when all seemed
lost.
Russell Threatens but Arshdeep and Jansen Finish the Job
When Andre Russell
walked in, KKR still needed 33 runs with two wickets in hand. He quickly
smashed two sixes and a four off Chahal, sending a wave of fear into the
PBKS camp.
But Arshdeep Singh
had other plans. He focused on Arora, bowling a deadly over filled with
snorters:
- A rising delivery struck Arora on the arm.
- Another beat him as he fended.
- The final ball took the edge and flew in front
of his face.
Russell had one final
chance in the next over, but he bottom-edged the first ball to the
keeper, sparking wild celebrations as PBKS pulled off the lowest successful
defense of IPL 2025.
Final Thoughts: PBKS Show Grit in Low-Scoring Epic
This match was a
rollercoaster. From being 39/0 to collapsing to 111 all out, PBKS looked down
and out. But a spirited bowling display led by Yuzvendra Chahal,
supported by Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, and debutant Xavier
Bartlett, turned the tables.
For KKR, it was a massive
missed opportunity. At 62 for 2, they were 98% favorites, but they collapsed
spectacularly to lose by 16 runs. The match also marked a dramatic contrast
from PBKS' previous game where they failed to defend 245 runs.
With this win, Punjab
Kings climb into the top four of the IPL 2025 standings, while Kolkata
Knight Riders are left to reassess their middle-order vulnerabilities.
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