Batting domination at its peak- How PBKS and KKR combined for a T20 classic full of records!
Some innings are exceptional. Some are unforgettable. And then some redefine the game of cricket. On April 26, Punjab Kings achieved the unimaginable—chasing down 262, the highest successful chase in T20 history. At the heart of this remarkable achievement was Jonny Bairstow, who had struggled for form throughout the season but chose the grandest stage to remind the world of his talent. His unbeaten 108 off 48 balls was not merely a performance but a declaration. Together with Shashank Singh's explosive 68 off 28 balls, PBKS did not just break records—they rewrote them.
On a night when bowlers had little to celebrate, KKR set a mammoth target of 261 for 6. Their opening duo, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, went berserk, forging a 138-run partnership in just 10.2 overs. In the form of his life, Narine struck 71 off 32 balls, while Salt contributed a blazing 75 from 37. With Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer, and Venkatesh Iyer piling on the runs, KKR surpassed the 260-run mark. It looked like a match-winning total on any other day. However, PBKS had different plans.
PBKS needed a flying start, and Prabhsimran Singh delivered just that. Coming in as an Impact Player, he tore into the KKR attack, smashing 54 off just 20 balls. His aggressive stroke play ensured PBKS racked up 93 for 1 in the powerplay, keeping the chase alive. He targeted debutant Dushmantha Chameera, plundering 23 runs off a single over. Although his knock ended in a run-out, he had already laid the perfect platform for a historic chase.
Jonny Bairstow had struggled this season, managing only 96 runs in six games prior to this match. He was even dropped from the playing XI. However, when given another chance, he seized it in style. After a measured start, he exploded into action, smashing 108 off just 48 balls. KKR gave him a single reprieve, and he made them pay dearly. He dismantled Varun Chakravarthy and Anukul Roy, quickly clearing the ropes and reaching his century in just 45 balls.
If Bairstow's innings was characterised by power and precision, Shashank Singh's 68 off 28 balls was nothing short of carnage. He promoted himself up the order for the first time and made an immediate impact. He hammered three sixes in the 16th over, shifting the equation in PBKS's favour. With Bairstow playing the anchor role, Shashank continued to launch the ball into the stands, ensuring there were no late hiccups. PBKS concluded with 24 sixes—six more than KKR—and etched their names in the history books.
This wasn't just another IPL thriller—it was a record-breaking spectacle. The match witnessed:
Cricket fans witnessed a night where batting ruled, records shattered, and history was made!
