Punjab Kings (PBKS) posted 201/4 on a slow Kolkata pitch, but heavy rain cut short Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) chase after just one over (7/0). PBKS settled for one point, while KKR moved to seventh place with seven points from nine matches.
Openers Dominate on Tough Surface
The pitch played “very, very slow,” yet PBKS openers Priyansh Arya (69 off 35) and Prabhsimran Singh (83 off 49) built a 120-run stand—their team’s first 100+ partnership this IPL. They focused on timing over power, dismantling KKR’s attack smartly.
- Arya hammered 50 off 20 balls against pace but played spin carefully.
- Prabhsimran started slow (34 off 32) but exploded with a switch-hit six off Sunil Narine, leading to a 22-run over—Narine’s second-worst in T20s. He smashed 49 off his last 17 balls.
PBKS slowed in the death overs (just 42 in the last six) but still set a strong total, aided by the pitch’s grip for spinners.
Rain Halts KKR’s Chase Early
KKR’s innings lasted just seven deliveries before thunderstorms forced an abrupt end to proceedings, leaving cricket fans disappointed. The brief chase saw KKR reach 7/0 in 1 over, with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer barely getting a chance to settle at the crease. PBKS’ bowlers, who had been preparing to exploit the slow, gripping surface with their spinners and slower-ball specialists, were denied any opportunity to make an impact.
The rain interruption came at a particularly frustrating moment, just as the match seemed poised for an intriguing battle between KKR’s explosive batting lineup and PBKS’ varied bowling attack on a pitch that was offering significant assistance to slower deliveries. Ground staff rushed to cover the pitch as the downpour intensified, but the showers proved too persistent, with puddles quickly forming in the outfield.
Match officials waited as long as possible, but with no signs of the weather clearing and the outfield becoming increasingly waterlogged, they had no choice but to abandon the match. The decision meant PBKS were robbed of what could have been a crucial victory in their playoff push, while KKR escaped with a point despite never really being in the game. Fans at Eden Gardens and millions watching at home were left wondering what might have been had the weather held off for just a few more hours.
This marked yet another IPL match affected by unpredictable weather this season, raising fresh questions about scheduling and contingency planning for rain-affected games. The abandoned match also highlighted how crucial every point becomes in such a tightly contested tournament, where net run rates and even single points can make all the difference in the final standings.
Standings Impact
- PBKS (No. 4) missed two points but gained confidence from their openers.
- KKR (No. 7) took a point but remain in the bottom half.
Key Takeaways
✔ PBKS’ batting boost – Arya & Prabhsimran’s partnership stood out.
✔ Tough pitch – Slow conditions made big hits hard, yet PBKS adjusted well.
✔ Rain wins again – Weather robbed fans of a full contest.
PBKS will hope for better luck ahead, while KKR must improve to stay in playoff contention.
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