IPL 2025: “Self-Belief and Spin Did the Trick”: Chahal Powers PBKS to Historic Win Over KKR

Yuzvendra Chahal’s 4-wicket spell headlines Punjab Kings’ incredible defence of 111 – the lowest total ever defended in IPL history

Mullanpur (Punjab), April 16: Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a vintage spin masterclass as Punjab Kings (PBKS) stunned Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 16 runs, successfully defending just 111 runs — the lowest total ever defended in IPL history. The leg-spinner’s remarkable spell of 4/28 played a pivotal role in scripting one of the most dramatic turnarounds seen in the league.

Chahal, who was rightly awarded Player of the Match, credited the team effort but emphasized the importance of staying positive with such a small total on the board.

“We wanted to stay positive, take 2-3 wickets in the powerplay. The pitch wasn’t easy. There was turn in the pitch,” said Chahal post-match.
“I always had self-belief. I vary my pace so that batters have to work hard to hit,” he added, underlining his tactical nous.

Earlier in the match, PBKS opted to bat and got off to a brisk start, thanks to Priyansh Arya’s 22 (12) and Prabhsimran Singh’s 30 (15). But Harshit Rana’s fiery 3/25 and stellar spells from Sunil Narine (2/14) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) restricted Punjab to 111 all out in 15.3 overs.

KKR’s chase, expected to be a cakewalk, turned into chaos. Openers Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine were dismissed early, and despite a stabilizing 55-run stand between Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Chahal spun a web, triggering a dramatic collapse. Raghuvanshi top-scored with 37, but wickets tumbled quickly thereafter.

Marco Jansen (3/17) provided the finishing blows, including the wicket of Andre Russell, who briefly threatened with 17 off 11 balls.

KKR were bowled out for 95 in 15.1 overs, handing Punjab a memorable 16-run win, etching their name in the IPL history books.

📊 Match Summary:

• PBKS: 111 all out (15.3 ov) – Prabhsimran 30, Arya 22; Harshit Rana 3/25
• KKR: 95 all out (15.1 ov) – Raghuvanshi 37, Russell 17; Chahal 4/28, Jansen 3/17

With this win, PBKS climb to 4th on the table (4W, 2L), while KKR slip to 6th (3W, 4L). The victory marks not just crucial points, but one of the greatest bowling performances under pressure in IPL history.