Cricket Highlights, April 15: IPL 2025 (31st Match) – PBKS vs KKR

PBKS vs KKR (31st Match) – Highlights

Punjab Kings secured a thrilling 16-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the 31st match of the 2025 Indian Premier League at Mullanpur on April 15. The match proved to be a one-sided affair as PBKS, after posting a modest total of 111 in their allotted 20 overs, bowled brilliantly to dismiss KKR for just 95, with the latter falling short of the target by 16 runs.

The Punjab Kings innings started poorly with the loss of wickets very quickly. Harshit Rana took Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer all in a row, after the fifth over PBKS were reeling from 39 for 3.

The middle order failed to stabilize the innings, as Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, and Suryansh Shedge all got starts but couldn’t convert them into meaningful scores. Shashank Singh chipped in with a crucial 18, but with his dismissal, one of the last recognized batsmen was gone, and the batting lineup continued to collapse.

Despite a lack of substantial contributions from the batting side, the total of 111 was made possible by some quick runs from the top order, most notably Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (30). However, Punjab’s batting lineup failed to recover after the early breakthroughs.

The bowling efforts of Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine kept the pressure on, with the wickets tumbling consistently throughout the innings. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy were the standout bowlers, taking two wickets each, but their efforts weren’t enough to stop PBKS from reaching their modest total.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ pursuit of a modest 112-run target got off to a shaky start, with the early dismissals of Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine leaving them tottering at 7 for 2. Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi tried to steady the innings with a brief partnership, scoring 17 and 37 respectively, but neither could anchor the chase. As the pressure mounted and the required run rate crept up, KKR kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell could not get the tempo going as the innings fell apart, and it was Yuzvendra Chahal with a match-winning performance of 4 for 28 who took big wickets of Rahane, Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh.

He was very well supported by Marco Jansen and Arshdeep Singh who tightened the screws and delivered key wickets with disciplined bowling. Andre Russell had a late charge but the pressure proved too much for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who lost by 16 runs. Yuzvendra Chahal was the obvious choice for Player of the Match for his great bowling performance with 4 wickets taking KKR under pressure throughout their chase.

Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Scoreboard

Punjab Kings – 111 (15.3)

Kolkata Knight Riders – 95 (15.1)

Result – PBKS won by 16 runs

Player of the Match – Yuzvendra Chahal

PBKS vs KKR Playing XI

Punjab Kings

Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer (c), Josh Inglis(wk), Nehal Wadhera, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh

Kolkata Knight Riders

Quinton de Kock(wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje

Disclaimer: This match highlight is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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