Chahal spins Punjab Kings to historic defence of 111

It was a strange sort of game at the New Chandigarh stadium. At the halfway stage of the match, Varun Chakaravarthy reckoned it was a 180-type pitch after Punjab Kings were skittled out for just 111 thanks to a collective bowling effort from Kolkata Knight Riders.

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Seven overs into the chase, KKR were well on their way, having reached 60/2, needing to score at only four-an-over to get to the target, or at just over seven for a win inside 14.1 overs, which would have given them an NRR boost to climb to the top of the standings. But what happened next was a dramatic comeback from PBKS, led by Yuzvendra Chahal (4-28) and Marco Jansen (3-17), as they bowled KKR out for 95. This was the lowest total defended in the IPL, with the 16-run victory propelling PBKS to the fourth spot.

It was a case of two middle-order melt-downs after positive starts from both sides. PBKS started well at 39/0 but they endured a monumental collapse, losing eight wickets for just 47 runs between overs 3-11, which meant they couldn't post a decent total. For KKR, it was the period after the PowerPlay - from 62/2 in the seventh over they slipped to 79/8 as Chahal weaved magic. It was in the second half of the middle overs phase of the second innings where the game really turned as KKR lost five wickets for the addition of only 23 runs.

PUNJAB KINGS

Powerplay: Rana strikes derail PBKS after positive start

Phase score - 54/4 [RR: 9.00, 4s/6s: 5/4]