The cricket world witnessed an extraordinary display of skill and determination as Punjab Kings (PBKS) achieved the most successful chase in T20 cricket history, surpassing Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) daunting target of 262 runs in Match 42 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Eden Gardens.

PBKS’ Incredible Chase

Led by Jonny Bairstow’s stellar century and Shashank Singh’s explosive batting, PBKS pulled off a remarkable victory, chasing the target with eight wickets and eight balls to spare. Bairstow’s breathtaking innings of 108 runs off 48 balls and Shashank’s blistering 68 off just 28 deliveries set the stage for PBKS’ historic triumph.

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PBKS’ Stellar Performance

Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow provided PBKS with a rollicking start, forging a formidable opening partnership of 93 runs off just 36 balls. Prabhsimran’s quickfire fifty in 18 balls set the tone for PBKS’ aggressive pursuit. Despite Prabhsimran’s dismissal, Bairstow continued to dominate the KKR bowlers, reaching his century in just 45 balls, marking his second century in the IPL.

With Prabhsimran’s departure, Rilee Rossouw joined Bairstow at the crease, continuing the team’s momentum with another formidable partnership of 85 runs from 36 balls. Rossouw’s innings, however, met its end as he lost his wicket to Sunil Narine, with Shreyas Iyer completing the dismissal with a catch.

After Rossouw’s exit, Shashank Singh partnered with Bairstow in the middle. Meanwhile, the Englishman reached his century, taking just 45 balls on the final delivery of the 16th over. Shashank sustained the attack from the other end, injecting vitality into PBKS’s pursuit. He achieved his fifty in the 18th over off just 23 deliveries. Together, the pair orchestrated a match-winning partnership, accumulating 84 runs in just 37 balls. Shashank remained unbeaten with an impressive 68 runs off 28 balls, while Bairstow stood firm with 108 runs from 48 deliveries.

KKR’s Explosive Start

In the first innings, KKR’s explosive start, fueled by Phil Salt and Sunil Narine’s onslaught, propelled them to a mammoth total of 261/6. Salt and Narine’s 138-run opening partnership, characterized by aggressive hitting and impeccable timing, laid the foundation for KKR’s formidable total. However, PBKS’ disciplined bowling and fielding efforts restricted KKR’s scoring in the later stages of the innings.

While Salt made 75, Narine slammed 71. The duo was also helped by PBKS dropping three catches collectively in the first seven overs to smash the bowlers to all parts of the park. After the duo fell, Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer, and Venkatesh Iyer brought out the big hits to take KKR to the highest-ever IPL total at Eden Gardens, with the help of 22 fours and 18 sixes.

Salt and Narine’s 138-run partnership against PBKS is the second-highest opening partnership by any KKR pair in IPL history, behind the unbeaten 184-run stand shared by Chris Lynn and Gautam Gambhir against Gujarat Lions on 7 April 2017.

The High-Octane Encounter

The match witnessed a flurry of boundaries and sixes, with a record-breaking 42 sixes smashed, marking the highest number in IPL history. Both teams’ relentless pursuit of victory kept the spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the match, showcasing the competitive spirit of the IPL.

KKR bowling today
Narine: 1/24 from 4 overs (ER: 6)
Others: 0/236 from 14.4 overs (ER: 16.09)

Highest scores in a T20 run-chase
262/2 – PBKS vs KKR, Kolkata, IPL 2024
262/7 – RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru, IPL 2024
259/4 – South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
254/3 – Middlesex vs Surrey, The Oval, T20 Blast 2023
253/8 – Quetta Gladiators vs Multan Sultans, Rawalpindi, PSL 2023

Most sixes in an IPL innings
24 – PBKS vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
22 – SRH vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2024
22 – SRH vs DC, Delhi, 2024
21 – RCB vs PWI, Bengaluru, 2013
Only Nepal have managed more sixes in an innings in Men’s T20 cricket than PBKS today. They hit 26 during their monumental 314/3 effort against Mongolia in Hangzhou at the Asian Games last year.

Most sixes in a Men’s T20 match
42 – KKR vs PBKS, Kolkata, IPL 2024
38 – SRH vs MI, Hyderabad, IPL 2024
38 – RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru, IPL 2024
37 – Balkh Legends v Kabul Zwanan, Sharjah, APL 2018/19
37 – SKNP vs JT, Basseterre, CPL 2019

Highest aggregates in an IPL match
549 – RCB vs SRH, Bengaluru, 2024
523 – SRH vs MI, Hyderabad, 2024
523 – KKR vs PBKS, Kolkata, 2024
469 – CSK vs RR, Chennai, 2010
465 – DC vs SRH, Delhi, 2024

Highest targets successfully chased in the IPL
262 – PBKS vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
224 – RR vs PBKS, Sharjah, 2020
224 – RR vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
219 – MI vs CSK, Delhi, 2021

Highest targets successfully chased in Men’s T20 cricket
262 – Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata, IPL 2024
259 – South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
253 – Middlesex vs Surrey, The Oval, T20 Blast 2023
244 – Australia vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2018
243 – Bulgaria vs Serbia, Sofia, 2022
243 – Multan Sultans vs Peshawar Zalmi, Rawalpindi, PSL 2023