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Punjab Kings Set Record for Lowest Total Defended in IPL History
In a surprising match that unfolded in the latest IPL encounter, the Punjab Kings established a new benchmark by defending the lowest total in tournament history. Chasing a modest target of 112, the Kolkata Knight Riders saw their innings collapse dramatically, finishing at just 95 runs, resulting in a staggering 16-run defeat.
The match took a sharp turn when KKR was positioned at 62-2 in the eighth over. However, what followed was a remarkable collapse as they lost eight wickets for a mere 33 runs. This astonishing turn of events not only led to their downfall but also marked a historical moment for the Punjab Kings, who had previously endured the record for the lowest defended score when the Chennai Super Kings set a total of 116-9 back in 2009.
After the match, Punjab head coach Ricky Ponting expressed his delight, stating, “That might just be about the best win I’ve ever had as coach,” reflecting the significance of the victory.
Kolkata’s Captain Takes Responsibility for the Loss
Kolkata’s captain, Ajinkya Rahane, faced scrutiny for his role in the team’s failure, admitting he played a “wrong shot” that contributed to their collapse. His wicket, taken by Punjab leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, was pivotal; Rahane was dismissed lbw for 17 after attempting a slog-sweep, a decision he later regretted given that he could have challenged the call due to the ball being pitched outside the off stump.
In the aftermath of the match, Rahane stated he would “take the blame” for the reckless approach his side displayed during the run chase. He acknowledged that the batting performance was subpar, contributing to the team’s unexpected defeat.
Kolkata’s decline was exacerbated by Chahal’s exceptional bowling performance, where he took 4 wickets for 28 runs. After claiming Rahane’s wicket, he swiftly dismissed Angkrish Raghuvanshi for 37, followed by Glenn Maxwell taking Venkatesh Iyer for just 7 runs. Chahal did not stop there; he also took out Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh in quick succession, leaving KKR struggling at 76-7.
The situation worsened for Kolkata when Harshit Rana, who earlier picked up three wickets for 25 runs, was bowled by Marco Jansen, making the score 79-8. Although Andre Russell attempted a spirited comeback, hitting two sixes and a four in a 16-run over, it was not enough to salvage the innings. Ultimately, the final nail in the coffin came as Russell was dismissed just after a wicket-maiden by Arshdeep Singh, leaving KKR well short of the target.
Source
www.skysports.com