Our Bureau
Chandigarh
The thrilling match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) witnessed a major turn of events with a sparkling performance by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal who led the team to an unexpected victory in Match 31 of the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025).
After opting to bat first, Punjab were bowled out for just 111 in 15.3 overs as Harshit Rana (3/25, 3 overs), Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) and Sunil Narine (2/14) emerged as top wicket-takers for Kolkata. In reply, KKR got all out for 95 in 15.1 overs as Yuzvendra Chahal (4/28) and Marco Jansen (3/17) scripted a miracle at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh. The result was a sensational 16-run win that sets a new record for the lowest total defended in IPL history.
Speaking about the 34-year-old’s performance at the post-match press conference, PBKS left-hand batter Nehal Wadhera said, “Looking at his stats today, he picked four crucial wickets despite being left-handers there. He got wicket of Rinku Singh which was very crucial for us. I think the way he was paced today, bowling wide slower balls, and he showed us all today mixing his pace, so I think this is what experience does to a bowler. He totally won us the game today. The way he performed today was really, really commendable.”
