Chandigarh, Apr 15 (UN) Punjab Kings' batting lineup was completely dismantled by a clinical bowling performance from Kolkata Knight Riders as the hosts were bowled out for a meagre 111 runs in just 15.3 overs.
The batting disaster unfolded despite some early fireworks, with the side losing key wickets in rapid succession.
Punjab innings got off to a promising start with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh playing some crisp shots. Arya's quickfire 22 included a powerful six off Harshit Rana (3/25) and a boundary off Vaibhav Arora.
Prabhsimran was also aggressive, smashing two sixes and a boundary, racing to 30 off 15 balls, but his dismissal off Rana halted their momentum.
However, the innings quickly spiralled downhill. Captain Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for a duck, caught by Ramandeep Singh off Rana, and Josh Inglis followed soon after, bowled by Varun Chakaravarthy (2/14). Punjab was on the backfoot at 42/3 after just 4.5 overs, and the pressure mounted from there.
Glenn Maxwell failed to find his groove, falling for just 7 runs to Chakaravarthy. The collapse continued as Suryansh Shedge (4) was caught by Quinton de Kock off Sunil Narine (2/14) and Nehal Wadhera (10) was dismissed by Nortje (1/23) after a leading edge to deep square leg.
Shashank Singh briefly threatened with a couple of boundaries, including a six off Chakaravarthy, but was soon dismissed LBW by Vaibhav Arora (1/10) for 18 runs.
The rest of the innings was a formality, with Marco Jansen bowled by Narine for 1 and Xavier Bartlett run out in bizarre fashion after attempting a second run when the throw was already on its way. Bartlett was left stranded at 11, leaving Punjab all out for 111 in 15.3 overs.
Bartlett’s run out was a comical moment in an otherwise grim innings. After hitting a top-edged pull for four, he inexplicably ran for a second, despite the throw already being on its way. Barlett, who had no chance of making his ground, was left stranded, summarising Punjab's chaotic batting display.
KKR’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Rana's pace causing most of the damage. His 3-wicket haul included key wickets of Arya, Iyer, and Prabhsimran. Chakaravarthy and Narine were also outstanding, picking up two wickets each. Vaibhav and Anrich Nortje played supporting roles, keeping the pressure on throughout.
Punjab's disappointing total of 111 will be a tough target to defend, and KKR will go into their chase with great confidence. The KKR bowlers were relentless, exploiting every weakness in the Punjab batting order to leave them with little chance of recovery.
UNI BDN SS