The Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) defied expectations by defending the lowest-ever IPL total of 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), securing a 16-run victory. PBKS bowled out in 15.3 overs, and struggled with poor shot selection, as noted by coach Ricky Ponting. KKR’s Harshit Rana (3/25) and Sunil Narine (2 wickets) dominated early. However, PBKS’s bowlers, led by Yuzvendra Chahal’s sensational 4/28 and Marco Jansen’s 3/17, orchestrated a stunning comeback. KKR, cruising at 62/2, collapsed to 95 all out in 15.1 overs, with Chahal’s spin dismantling their middle order. Ponting hailed the win as a season-defining moment, emphasizing the team’s newfound belief and energy, a stark contrast to their failure to defend 245 previously. This match, surpassing CSK’s 116/9 defence in 2009, showcased PBKS’s resilience and bowling prowess, cementing their place in IPL history. Check a look at five lowest targets defended by teams:
Sunrisers Hyderabad defended 119/8 vs Pune Warriors
Amit Mishra played a vital knock, scoring 30 to propel Sunrisers Hyderabad to a face-saving total, and then prized four crucial scalps to guide his team to an improbable victory. The last three wickets came on consecutive deliveries and made Mishra the first and only bowler to claim three hat-tricks in the league. Pune Warriors India crumbled down at 108, losing the match by 11 runs.
Kings XI Punjab defended 119/8 vs Mumbai Indians
In the 2009 IPL at Durban, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) defended 119/8 against Mumbai Indians (MI), winning by 3 runs. KXIP struggled, with Kumar Sangakkara’s 45* the only substantial contribution from the team. MI’s chase faltered early, thanks to a fiery opening spell from Irfan Pathan. Despite JP Duminy’s gritty 59, MI finished at 116/7, falling short in a tense finish.
Sunrisers Hyderabad defended 118 vs Mumbai Indians
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) defended 118 against Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium in the 2018 season of IPL. SRH, batting first, struggled to 118/10, with Kane Williamson and Yusuf Pathan scoring 29 apiece. Defending the paltry total, SRH’s bowlers unleashed a masterclass. Rashid Khan’s 2/11 dismantled MI’s batting lineup. The pitch assisted SRH’s spinners, and their seamers maintained relentless pressure. MI, despite Evin Lewis’s 29, crumbled to 87/10, losing by 31 runs.
Chennai Super Kings defended 116/9 vs Kings XI Punjab
In the 2009 IPL at Durban, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defended a modest 116/9 against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), winning by 24 runs. CSK struggled to bat first, with Parthiv Patel’s 32 the top score, as Sreesanth’s 2/23 restricted them on a bowler-friendly Kingsmead pitch. KXIP, chasing 117, were stifled by CSK’s spinners, led by Muttiah Muralitharan’s brilliant 2/8. Ravichandran Ashwin (2/13) and Suresh Raina (2/17) further tightened the screws, exploiting the slow surface. KXIP managed only 92/8, with Luke Pomersbach’s 26 the highest score. Yuvraj Singh’s 6 off 19 epitomized their struggles.
Punjab Kings Defended 111 vs Kolkata Knight Riders
In a thrilling encounter this season, Punjab Kings (PBKS) defended a modest 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Mullanpur. PBKS, batting first, struggled to 111/8, with Prabhsimran Singh's 35 being the top score. KKR’s bowlers, led by Harshit Rana, kept PBKS in check. In response, KKR’s chase faltered early, losing key wickets to PBKS’s disciplined bowling attack, crumbling to 95/9. PBKS won the match by 16 runs.
