Punjab Kings (PBKS), led by captain Shreyas Iyer, have transformed their fortunes in the Indian Premier League (IPL), delivering two historic performances that have captivated cricket fans.
Last year, they achieved the highest-ever T20 run-chase of 262 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. This year, at Mullanpur Stadium, they defended the lowest-ever IPL total of 111 runs, showcasing their resilience and flair under coach Ricky Ponting. These milestones signal PBKS’s potential to claim an IPL title in 2025 finally.
In 2024, PBKS faced a daunting 262-run target set by KKR at Eden Gardens. KKR’s Phil Salt (75) and Sunil Narine (71) powered a formidable 261/6. Despite a shaky season with only two wins in eight games, PBKS roared back. Jonny Bairstow’s blistering 108, paired with Prabhsimran Singh’s 54 and Shashank Singh’s 68, sealed the chase with eight wickets and eight balls to spare—marking the greatest T20 run-chase in history.
IPL 2024: Shreyas Iyer was KKR captain when they couldn’t defend the highest-ever total in IPL history (261/6) against PBKS.
IPL 2025: Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer defends the lowest-total ever in IPL history (111) against his former team KKR.
🎶𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭… pic.twitter.com/g75BSVSKS6
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) April 15, 2025Fast forward to IPL 2025, PBKS pulled off another stunner by defending 111 runs, the lowest total in IPL history, against KKR at Mullanpur. After a fiery start from Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15) and Priyansh Arya (22 off 12), PBKS collapsed, but their bowlers, led by Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal, bowled out KKR for 95. These victories, born from adversity, highlight PBKS’s never-give-up spirit.
Shreyas Iyer, now captaining PBKS after leading KKR last year, has turned the team into a powerhouse. Fresh from India’s Champions Trophy win, Iyer consistently anchors the middle order. Supported by Ponting’s World Cup-winning expertise, he leads a dynamic squad. Indian stars like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Arshdeep Singh, and Chahal shine alongside internationals Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Azmatullah Omarzai, all proven match-winners.
What a turnaround for Yuzi Chahal, what a night for Shreyas Iyer after his second-ball duck 💫
Scorecard: https://t.co/DWUwQ0uR2y | #PBKSvKKR #IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/Fw9gT7zLG2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 15, 2025KKR’s Challenges
KKR, with three wins and four losses in IPL 2025, struggles to replicate past glory. The departure of opener Phil Salt to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunil Narine’s dip to 130 runs in six innings (from 276 last season) have weakened their batting. Quinton de Kock, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell have faltered, leaving captain Ajinkya Rahane (221 runs) and Venkatesh Iyer (121 runs) to steady the ship. Despite strong bowling from Harshit Rana (3/25), Varun Chakravarthy (2/21), and Narine (2/14), KKR’s collapse to 95 at Mullanpur exposed their vulnerabilities.
PBKS’s record defence could propel them toward their first IPL title, with their revamped squad firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, KKR must fix batting inconsistencies to compete with strong contenders like Delhi Capitals and RCB, revitalized post-auction. The season promises more twists as PBKS and others vie for the crown.
Punjab Kings, under Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, are rewriting IPL history with a record chase and defence. Their journey from underdogs to contenders is thrilling fans worldwide. Can PBKS clinch the 2025 title? Share your predictions and follow the action!
