Coach Ricky Ponting calls it one of the best IPL wins of his career as PBKS defend 112 against KKR, thanks to Chahal’s magic and an inspired bowling effort
Mullanpur (Punjab), April 16: Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off one of the greatest heists in IPL history as they defended 112 runs against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, scripting a sensational 16-run victory at Mullanpur. The low-scoring thriller left fans stunned and coach Ricky Ponting emotional.
“The heart rate is still up there. I’m 50 years now and don’t need more games like these,” Ponting joked after the game, visibly overwhelmed by the intensity of the contest.
Despite being bundled out for a paltry 111 in 15.3 overs, PBKS staged a remarkable comeback with the ball, headlined by Yuzvendra Chahal’s stunning spell of 4/28 and Marco Jansen’s fiery 3/17.
Ponting revealed that Chahal had passed a late fitness test to play the match after suffering a shoulder niggle in the previous game.
“I looked him in the eye and asked, ‘Are you okay?’ and he said, ‘Coach, I am 100 percent right. Let me out there.’ What a spell of bowling!” Ponting said, praising the veteran leg-spinner.
🔄 Turning Point: Belief & Tactical Brilliance
Ponting credited the bowling unit’s belief and tactical changes as key to the win.
“Even if we had lost, I couldn’t have been prouder. The shot selection with the bat was poor, but the fight with the ball and energy in the field was outstanding.”
Ponting also revealed a crucial tactical switch, handing the new ball to Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett instead of Arshdeep Singh due to specific matchups, which proved to be spot-on as KKR collapsed for 95 in 15.1 overs.
“Sometimes chasing low scores is the hardest. At the halfway mark, not many believed we could do this — but we did,” he said.
🔥 Match Recap:
- PBKS chose to bat and started with a bang: Priyansh Arya (22 off 12) and Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15).
- But a superb spell from Harshit Rana (3/25) and spin from Narine (2/14) and Chakravarthy (2/21) halted their progress.
- PBKS were bowled out for 111, the lowest total ever defended in IPL history.
KKR, in reply, started disastrously, losing openers early and collapsing under scoreboard pressure. Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37) and Andre Russell (17) tried to fight back, but Chahal and Jansen dismantled the lineup with surgical precision.
📊 Points Table Impact:
- PBKS: 4th place | 4 wins, 2 losses | 8 points
- KKR: 6th place | 3 wins, 4 losses | 6 points
Ponting summed it up best:
“This might just be the best win I’ve been involved in as a coach in the IPL.”
It wasn’t just a match—it was a statement of belief, strategy, and grit.
