The historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata etched another memorable chapter into its rich legacy as it witnessed a statistical extravaganza during the pulsating clash between the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. In a match that defied all conventional batting norms, PBKS scripted history by successfully overhauling KKR’s mammoth total of 261/4, setting the record for the highest successful run chase not only in the IPL but in the entire landscape of T20 cricket.
The mind-boggling batting display witnessed a staggering 42 sixes being hit, another record in both the IPL and T20 cricket annals, leaving statisticians in a frenzy. When PBKS were set a daunting target of 262, few would have envisioned them achieving the improbable, let alone doing so with more than an over to spare.
However, the dramatic start provided by the Impact Player, Prabhsimran Singh, injected life into the PBKS innings and instilled a sense of belief in their ranks. Prabhsimran’s fearless approach, characterized by his ability to play through the line and use the crease to create angles, set the tone for the chase. His audacious strokeplay, which included a delightful scoop shot for a six, propelled PBKS past 50 within the first four overs, as KKR’s bowlers found themselves under relentless assault.
Sunil Narine’s introduction into the attack did little to stem the tide, as Prabhsimran continued his onslaught, sweeping him for boundaries and maximums. The dynamic opener completed a blistering half-century off just 18 deliveries, leaving the Eden Gardens crowd in awe.
Inspired by Prabhsimran’s heroics, Jonny Bairstow joined the party, shifting gears and unleashing a barrage of fours and sixes against Anukul Roy in the sixth over. However, Prabhsimran’s inspiring knock of 54 off 20 balls came to an end when a direct hit from short third-man found him short of his crease.
Rilee Rossouw’s arrival at the crease did not disrupt the momentum, as Bairstow continued to find the middle of the bat with consummate ease. The Englishman reached his half-century off just 23 deliveries, showcasing his array of shots, including a one-handed six over long-off against Varun Chakaravarthy.
With PBKS at 132/1 after 10 overs, the chase remained firmly on track. Rossouw joined the onslaught, but it was Bairstow’s special innings that continued to fuel the relentless pursuit.
The duo added an electrifying 85-run partnership off just 39 balls before Rossouw’s dismissal, leaving PBKS needing 84 off the final 45 deliveries. Enter Shashank Singh, who played an innings of immense character and conviction.
While Bairstow reached his century amidst rapturous applause from the Kolkata crowd, it was Shashank who assumed control in the slog overs, forging an unbeaten 84-run partnership with the Englishman. Shashank’s blistering 68 off 37 deliveries, laced with eight sixes and two fours, proved to be the decisive factor in PBKS’s historic chase.
Whenever KKR attempted to apply the brakes, Shashank broke the shackles with ease, clearing the boundaries with nonchalant power and timing. In the final four overs, with 54 runs required, Shashank’s onslaught ensured that PBKS sealed the victory with eight balls to spare, sparking scenes of unbridled jubilation.
While PBKS’s heroics rightly garnered the limelight, KKR’s splendid batting performance earlier in the day should not be overlooked. Put in to bat, KKR’s innings was dominated by a memorable opening stand between the explosive Sunil Narine and the flamboyant Phil Salt, who continued to showcase why they are among the most exciting batting combinations in the TATA IPL 2024.
Narine’s blistering start, which included a boundary off the very first delivery, set the tone for the onslaught, with Salt soon joining the party, smashing sixes and fours against the PBKS bowlers. The Kolkata crowd rejoiced with every boundary as the opening duo made the most of the conducive conditions, providing no respite for the beleaguered bowlers.
Despite three dropped catches in the initial overs – which proved costly in hindsight – Narine and Salt continued their assault, with the former being the more dominant scorer. Narine’s entertaining 71 off just 41 deliveries came to an end in the 10th over, but Salt carried forward the momentum, reaching a well-constructed 75 before being dismissed by Sam Curran.
Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer maintained the onslaught, adding 40 runs off just 18 deliveries, propelling KKR past the 200-run mark. However, it was KKR captain Shreyas Iyer’s blistering cameo of 28 off just 10 deliveries that provided the final flourish, as he unleashed his aggression against Curran in the 18th over, smashing three sixes and a four to push KKR’s total beyond 250.
In a match that will be etched in the annals of T20 cricket history, the Eden Gardens bore witness to an extraordinary display of batting prowess, record-breaking achievements, and an unforgettable contest between two formidable sides. While PBKS emerged victorious, scripting their name in the record books, both teams contributed to an enthralling spectacle that left fans spellbound and reinforced the unpredictable nature of the TATA IPL 2024.
