In the heart of Kolkata, the Eden Gardens witnessed a high-octane 42nd match of the IPL 2024 season, featuring Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings (KKR vs PBKS).
The match unfolded on the 26th of April, with PBKS emerging victorious by 8 wickets.
Let check out KKR vs PBKS head to head in the IPL.
KKR vs PBKS: Head-To-Head in IPL
32 matches played between the KKR vs PBKS. Kolkata Knight Riders has won 21 matches while Punjab Kings has won 11 matches.
Toss Moment
The game commenced with PBKS winning the toss and opting to field, setting the stage for KKR’s batting spectacle.
“We will have a bowl. We had four games at home, but unfortunately lost all the matches, The guys are ready for the away games though. We know what we need to do from here, just go out and express ourselves. Liam Livingstone misses out while Jonny Bairstow is back in the side.”
Sam Curran, PBKS Skipper
” We’ve had different players stepping up at different times, that’s a pleasing thing this season. Starc got a cut on his finger in the last game so he misses out and Dushmantha Chameera replaces him. Hoping to continue the same form and momentum.”
Shreyas Iyer, KKR Skipper
KKR vs PBKS: First Innings
Kolkata Knight Riders Batting
KKR’s innings was a display of fireworks, with Phil Salt leading the charge with a blistering 75 off 37 balls, including six boundaries and an equal number of sixes.
Sunil Narine complemented Salt’s aggression with a rapid 71 off 32 balls, hitting nine fours and four sixes.
Contributions from Venkatesh Iyer (39 off 23), Shreyas Iyer (28 off 10), and Andre Russell (24 off 12) propelled KKR to a formidable total of 261/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Punjab Kings Bowling
PBKS’s bowlers had their moments despite the onslaught. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers with 2/45, claiming the crucial wickets of Andre Russell and Shreyas Iyer.
Rahul Chahar, Harshal Patel, and Sam Curran each took a wicket, but they couldn’t stem the flow of runs.
KKR vs PBKS: Second Innings
Punjab Kings Batting
Chasing a mammoth target of 262, PBKS’s response was nothing short of spectacular.
Jonny Bairstow anchored the innings with an unbeaten 108 off 48 balls, smashing eight fours and nine sixes.
Shashank Singh played a stellar supporting role, scoring 68 off 28 balls*, while Prabhsimran Singh contributed a quickfire 54 off 20 balls.
The chase was completed in just 18.4 overs, with PBKS losing only two wickets in the process.
Kolkata Knight Riders Bowling
KKR’s bowling unit, led by Sunil Narine (1/24), tried to defend their total but found themselves outplayed by the sheer batting prowess of PBKS.
Narine’s dismissal of Rilee Rossouw and a run-out were the only blemishes in an otherwise flawless chase by PBKS.
Man of the Match
The victory was a testament to PBKS’s batting depth and their ability to chase down a challenging score.
Jonny Bairstow was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning century, which was pivotal in PBKS’s triumph.
“We got off to a good start. That was the key. They got off to a good start as well. You have to take risks in such matches. Sometimes luck will go your way. Some days it won’t be your day. I tried to whack it as far as possible. If it is in your area, you have to go. Shashank Singh is a special player with some serious hitting abilities.”
Jonny Bairstow, Punjab Kings
The match will be remembered for its magic moments:
The high-scoring drama, Phil Salt’s and Sunil Narine’s explosive innings for KKR, and Jonny Bairstow’s and Shashank Singh’s match-winning knocks for PBKS.
The clash between KKR and PBKS was a true exhibition of T20 cricket at its best.
PBKS showcasing their batting might to chase down one of the highest targets in the IPL history. And marking a memorable win at the iconic Eden Gardens.