IPL 2025: Nehal Wadhera Commends Yuzvendra Chahal’s Outstanding Performance In PBKS’ Win Over KKR

April 16, 2025: In a thrilling encounter on April 15, 2025, Punjab Kings (PBKS) registered a remarkable 16-run victory over the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a low-scoring nail-biter. PBKS, with a total of just 112 runs on the board, managed to successfully defend the lowest total ever in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, marking a historic moment in the tournament.

One of the key players in this unforgettable match was PBKS leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, whose exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award. Chahal claimed four crucial wickets in his four-over spell, conceding just 28 runs at an economy rate of 7. He dismissed Ajinkya Rahane, Ankrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh, playing a pivotal role in dismantling the KKR batting lineup.

After the match, PBKS left-hand batter Nehal Wadhera lauded Chahal’s performance at the post-match press conference. He emphasized the importance of Chahal’s experience, which was evident in his bowling today. Wadhera stated, “Looking at his stats today, he picked four crucial wickets despite the presence of left-handers. He got the wicket of Rinku Singh, which was very crucial for us. The way he mixed his pace and bowled wide slower balls shows us the value of experience. He totally won us the game today. The way he performed today was really commendable.”

Wadhera also praised the performances of the other PBKS bowlers, who played a significant role in restricting KKR to just 96 runs, well below the target. Marco Jansen delivered an impressive spell, taking 3 wickets for 17 runs in 3.1 overs, while Arshdeep Singh, Glenn Maxwell, and Xavier Bartlell each contributed to the victory. Jansen’s three-wicket haul and the economy rates of the bowlers were instrumental in defending the low total.

“We were never short of confidence. We know that our bowlers are capable of doing well here. Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, and Xavier Bartlett – the way all of them performed was really commendable,” Wadhera added. “I think all the credit goes to the bowlers for the win. The batters didn’t have a great day with the bat, but the bowlers really compensated for that.”

This victory sees PBKS rise to the fourth spot in the points table with four wins and two losses, amassing eight points. On the other hand, KKR, the defending champions, remain in the sixth position with three wins, four losses, and six points.

In one of the most astonishing feats in IPL history, PBKS’s victory will be remembered for successfully defending the lowest total ever in the tournament, securing a historic win against KKR.