PBKS Defend 111, Beat KKR by 16 Runs in IPL 2025 Thriller.

PBKS Defend 111, Beat KKR by 16 Runs in IPL 2025 Thriller.

            PBKS vs KKR Highlights, IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Defend 111, Beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 Runs.

Match 31 | Indian Premier League 2025

Venue: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh

Result: Punjab Kings (PBKS) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 16 runs
Match Summary

TeamRunsOversResultPunjab Kings (PBKS) 111 19.2 Won by 16 runs
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) 95 18.5 All Out

In a low-scoring thriller, Punjab Kings (PBKS) defended a modest total of 111 to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 16 runs in Match 31 of IPL 2025 at Mullanpur. Yuzvendra Chahal was the star with the ball, taking 4 wickets, while Harshit Rana impressed for KKR with a three-wicket haul earlier in the game.

With this win, PBKS moved to fourth in the points table with four wins in six games, while KKR slipped to sixth, having lost four out of seven matches.

Full Match Highlights
First Innings: Punjab Kings Struggle, Post 111 All Out

PBKS Innings: 111 all out (19.2 overs)
Top Scorers:

Shikhar Dhawan – 28 (24)

Jitesh Sharma – 22 (18)

Sam Curran – 19 (16)

KKR Bowling Highlights:

Harshit Rana – 3/18 (4 overs)

Mitchell Starc – 2/22 (4 overs)

Sunil Narine – 2/24 (4 overs)
Key Moments:

Early Collapse: PBKS lost Jonny Bairstow (4) and Prabhsimran Singh (7) cheaply.

Dhawan Steadies Innings: Skipper Shikhar Dhawan tried to anchor the innings with 28 runs, but fell to Varun Chakaravarthy.

Middle-Order Struggles: Liam Livingstone (5) and Rishi Dhawan (2) failed to contribute as PBKS slipped to 65/6.

Jitesh & Curran’s Resistance: A brief partnership between Jitesh Sharma (22) and Sam Curran (19) took PBKS past 100.

Rana’s Late Strikes: Harshit Rana cleaned up the tail, dismissing Arshdeep Singh (0) and Kagiso Rabada (1).

PBKS were bowled out for 111 in 19.2 overs, setting KKR a target of 112.
Second Innings: KKR Collapse, Chahal’s 4-Wicket Haul Seals Win for PBKS

KKR Innings: 95 all out (18.5 overs)
Top Scorers:

Venkatesh Iyer – 23 (21)

Andre Russell – 18 (12)

Rinku Singh – 15 (18)

PBKS Bowling Highlights:

Yuzvendra Chahal – 4/12 (4 overs)

Kagiso Rabada – 2/19 (3.5 overs)

Arshdeep Singh – 2/22 (4 overs)
Key Moments:

Early Blow: Phil Salt (2) was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh in the second over.

Narine’s Quickfire 14: Sunil Narine smashed two sixes before falling to Sam Curran.

Chahal’s Magic: The leg-spinner removed Shreyas Iyer (9) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (4) in quick succession.

Russell’s Brief Fight: Andre Russell (18 off 12) threatened with two sixes, but Chahal trapped him LBW.

Rinku’s Resistance: Rinku Singh (15) tried to stabilize, but Rabada dismissed him in the 17th over.

KKR’s Collapse: From 82/6, KKR lost their last four wickets for just 13 runs, getting bowled out for 95.

PBKS won by 16 runs, defending the lowest total of IPL 2025 so far.

Post-Match Analysis
Turning Points:

PBKS’ Lower-Order Fightback: Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran’s partnership took PBKS from 65/6 to 100+, giving their bowlers something to defend.

Chahal’s Spell: His 4/12 broke KKR’s middle order, including the key wicket of Russell.

KKR’s Batting Failure: Apart from Venkatesh Iyer and Russell, no batter crossed 20 runs.

Player of the Match: Yuzvendra Chahal (4/12)

"I just backed my strengths and bowled in the right areas. The pitch was helping spinners, and the batters did well to give us something to defend."

Impact on Points Table:

PBKS move to 4th place (4 wins in 6 matches).

KKR drop to 6th place (3 wins in 7 matches).

Full Scorecard
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – 111 All Out (19.2 Overs)
BatterRunsBalls4s/6sOut ByShikhar Dhawan (c) 28 24 3/0 Varun Chakaravarthy
Jitesh Sharma (wk) 22 18 2/1 Harshit Rana
Sam Curran 19 16 1/1 Mitchell Starc
Extras 10 (lb 3, w 7)

KKR Bowling:

Harshit Rana – 4-0-18-3

Mitchell Starc – 4-0-22-2

Sunil Narine – 4-0-24-2
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – 95 All Out (18.5 Overs)

BatterRunsBalls4s/6sOut ByVenkatesh Iyer 23 21 3/0 Yuzvendra Chahal
Andre Russell 18 12 0/2 Yuzvendra Chahal
Rinku Singh 15 18 1/0 Kagiso Rabada
Extras 8 (lb 2, w 6)

PBKS Bowling:

Yuzvendra Chahal – 4-0-12-4

Kagiso Rabada – 3.5-0-19-2

Arshdeep Singh – 4-0-22-2

Key Takeaways

✅ PBKS’ Bowling Masterclass: Defended the lowest total of IPL 2025.
✅ Chahal’s Match-Winning Spell: Proved why he’s still among the best spinners.
✅ KKR’s Batting Woes: Failed to chase a modest target, raising concerns.

What’s Next?

PBKS will look to continue their momentum in the next game.

KKR needs to regroup quickly to stay in playoff contention.

Watch Full Match Replay & Highlights HERE