In a thrilling encounter at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Punjab Kings pulled off the highest run chase in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The match, held on April 26, 2024, saw the Punjab Kings chase down a mammoth total of 262 runs in just 18.4 overs, thanks to a stunning batting performance from Jonny Bairstow and Shashank Singh.
Punjab Kings, eagerly looking for two crucial match points, came in with determination and hopes to remain alive in the tournament. However, KKR looks to continue their on-slough on the opponents. Kolkata Knight Riders are the potential title contenders in this season. However, as usual, Punjab Kings are lurking at the bottom half of the table.
Punjab Kings Chase The Highest Ever Total In The History Of T20 Cricket
The match started with Kolkata Knight Riders batting first and setting a massive target of 262 runs for the loss of six wickets. The opening pair of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt gave KKR a solid start, scoring 138 runs for the first wicket. Both openers reached their fifties, with Salt scoring 54 off 20 balls and Narine making 51 off 23 balls. The middle order, led by captain Shreyas Iyer and Andre Russel, continued the momentum. Iyer scored 28 runs in 10 balls with one 4s and three 6s. Moreover, Russel, striking at 200, added Twenty-Four runs in Twelve balls. Russel’s cameo includes a couple of fours and sixes.Â
In response, the Punjab Kings got off to a flying start, with Prabhsimran Singh scoring a quickfire 53 off just 18 balls. His aggressive knock included five fours and five sixes, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. Continuing his fine form, Bairstow scored 108 runs off 48 balls, hitting 10 fours and eight sixes. Shashank Singh provided the finishing touches with a rapid 68 off 28 balls, including eight sixes. The duo’s partnership of 148 runs off just 68 balls ensured that Punjab Kings reached the target with eight balls to spare, making it the highest run chase in not just IPL but in the history of T20 cricket.
Defenceless Bowling Attack At Display From Kolkata Knight Riders
The Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling attack had no answers to the onslaught from the Punjab Kings’ batsmen. Their bowlers were taken for plenty of runs, with no bowler managing to keep the run rate under control. The pitch at Eden Gardens was perfect for batting, and the Punjab Kings took full advantage of it.
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This victory has put the Punjab Kings in a strong position in the IPL 2024 standings, while the Kolkata Knight Riders will need to regroup and find a way to bounce back from this defeat. The match will be remembered for its record-breaking run chase, and the performances of Jonny Bairstow and Shashank Singh will go down in IPL folklore.
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