Punjab Kings emerged victory over Kolkata Knight Riders
In a thrilling IPL 2024 match at Eden Gardens, Punjab Kings emerged victory over Kolkata Knight Riders by a convincing margin of eight wickets. It was a scintillating chase as PBKS successfully chased down KKR’s imposing total of 262 runs with ease, reaching 262/2 in just 18.4 overs.
The star of the show was Jonny Bairstow, who played a sensational unbeaten innings, scoring a magnificent 108* off just 48 balls. Bairstow’s onslaught was supported by Shashank Singh, who also remained unbeaten with a well-crafted 68*. Prabhsimran Singh and Rilee Rossouw contributed crucial runs to the chase with half-centuries, while Rossouw fell to Sunil Narine after a brisk 26 off 16 balls.
The game began with PBKS captain Sam Curran winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Despite a strong start from KKR’s openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, who both scored half-centuries, PBKS managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Narine’s explosive 71 off 32 balls came to an end at the hands of Rahul Chahar, while Salt departed after a blistering 75 off 37 balls, falling prey to Curran. Arshdeep Singh chipped in with crucial wickets, dismissing Andre Russell and Shreyas Iyer to restrict KKR to 261/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
In the end, it was a commanding performance by Punjab Kings, as they comfortably chased down the target set by Kolkata Knight Riders, securing a memorable victory in the IPL 2024 fixture.
Reflecting on his outstanding performance in the match, Jonny Bairstow shared his thoughts, highlighting the importance of their strong start in the chase. He acknowledged the formidable start by Kolkata Knight Riders, particularly crediting Sunil Narine for his impactful innings. Bairstow emphasized the need to take calculated risks in cricket, recognizing that luck can sometimes play a role in the game’s outcome.
First of his name, protector of the 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄, crusher of the cricket ball! 🛐
Arise Sir 𝐓𝐎𝐍ny Bairstow! 🫡💥#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #JazbaHaiPunjabi #TATAIPL2024 pic.twitter.com/XyHIKyRTiY
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 27, 2024
He explained his aggressive approach, mentioning his intention to hit the ball as far as possible whenever it was in his hitting zone. Bairstow also praised his teammate Shashank Singh, describing him as a special player with remarkable cricketing intelligence and exceptional clean striking ability.
Overall, Bairstow expressed satisfaction with their team’s performance, especially during the quieter overs when Narine was bowling, demonstrating their awareness of his threat. It was indeed a special victory for Punjab Kings, fueled by strong individual performances and strategic gameplay.
After the match, Shashank from PBKS shared his insights, focusing on his approach during the game. He mentioned observing the pitch behavior from the dug-out and feeling confident about its good bounce and pace. Shashank trusted his ability to take on the other bowlers, opting for singles and doubles against Narine while aiming to play him out, indicating a strategic move by the team.
He appreciated the freedom granted by coach Trevor Bayliss to play his natural game, which boosted his confidence. Shashank also highlighted the positive impact of having Jonny Bairstow’s support from the other end, finding motivation in the veteran player’s encouragement.
Looking ahead, Shashank expressed optimism about PBKS’s playoff chances, emphasizing the team’s focus on taking each match as it comes. He believes in their potential to secure victories in the remaining five matches and qualify for the playoffs.
Kolkata Knight Riders: 261/6 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 75, Sunil Narine 71)
Punjab Kings: 262/2 in 18.4 overs (Jonny Bairstow 108, Prabhsimran Singh 54, Shashank Singh 68)
