PBKS vs KKR Match 31 Results

6:03 PM IST Anrich Nortje is the last man in, but all eyes will be on Andre Russell, who’s on strike at the start of the new over. With 17 runs needed, does he go for it with three big hits? Or will he trust Nortje to hold up his end? It’s a tricky call. Russell’s instinct is to go big, but with just one wicket in hand, the margin for error is razor thin. A slight hold-up in play as Nortje's bat does not pass the gauge test. The bat has been replaced, and we are good to go.

5:53 PM IST Yuzvendra Chahal is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his stellar bowling performance. Chahal believes it was a complete team effort that led to the win. He mentions that they felt they were in the game once they picked up a couple of early wickets and it gave them the momentum to keep pushing. Mentions that the pitch wasn’t easy to bat on, with noticeable turn on offer. He mentions that his very first delivery turned sharply, prompting Shreyas Iyer to suggest having a slip in place, knowing they needed wickets to defend a low total. He adds that he has always had self-belief and constantly thinks about ways to dismiss batters. Shares that he varied his pace deliberately to make it harder for the batters to time their shots.

5:53 PM IST The captain of the Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, is in for a chat. Says that he is finding it hard to put into words the feelings he had after the match. He highlights the importance of taking wickets to secure a victory and appreciates having the right players in the right positions on the field. During his batting innings, Iyer noticed the variable bounce of the pitch. He credits the bowlers for maintaining discipline, which ultimately led to their win. Iyer reveals that the team's hopes and expectations soared when Yuzvendra Chahal started turning the ball effectively, and from that moment on, they gained momentum. He emphasises the need for the team to stay humble and focused, ensuring this victory doesn't distract them from their future goals

5:52 PM IST Ricky Ponting, PBKS Head Coach, reflects on the thrilling match, stating his heart rate is still high after the intense contest. He humorously mentions not wanting to be part of such games at his age, highlighting the unpredictability of the format. Ponting praises Yuzvendra Chahal's outstanding performance, noting that Chahal had overcome a shoulder injury to play a crucial role. Ponting commends his team's remarkable comeback in the second innings, expressing pride in their efforts. He acknowledges that even if they had lost, he wouldn't have been disheartened, given the team's performance. However, he feels that their decision-making with the bat left much to be desired. Ponting also discusses the team's strategy with the new ball, using Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett to exploit specific matchups. He describes the game as one of the best he's been part of.

5:50 PM IST At 62/2, KKR seemed to be in control, but the game took a turn with the departure of Rahane. He was given out LBW but chose not to review, only for the impact to turn out as outside off. Seizing the opportunity, the Kings pounced, with Yuzvendra Chahal leading the charge. Andre Russell kept KKR in the hunt with a few trademark blows, but with wickets falling regularly at the other end, he was left with too much to do. Chahal was the architect of Punjab's remarkable comeback, finishing with standout figures of 4 for 28 from his 4 overs.

5:45 PM IST A game that perfectly captures why we love this sport and why the Indian Premier League continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. After failing to defend 245 in their last outing in Hyderabad, they turned things around dramatically by defending just 111 in Mullanpur, a venue that hasn’t exactly been a happy hunting ground for them. With this win, Punjab move up to 4th on the points table, boasting 4 wins from 6 games. On the other hand, the Knight Riders will be gutted to have let this one slip. They’re still chasing consistency, with back-to-back wins continuing to elude them, and have now dropped to 6th place. Up next in the 2025 Indian Premier League, the Delhi Capitals host the Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, 16th April. The first ball is scheduled for 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but be sure to join us early for all the pre-match build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!