Punjab Kings post 201/4 thanks to Arya-Prabhsimran heroics, but rain ends KKR’s chase after just one over.
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 27:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens was abandoned due to persistent rain on Saturday, resulting in both teams sharing one point each.
With this outcome, PBKS now sit fourth on the points table, with five wins, three losses, and one no result (11 points total). KKR remain in seventh place, managing just three wins, five losses, and one no result (seven points).
KKR’s chase of a daunting 202-run target barely began, reaching only 7/0 in a single over before the rain forced the match to be called off.
Earlier, a commanding 120-run opening partnership between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh powered PBKS to a formidable total of 201/4 in their 20 overs. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, PBKS made a strong start. Priyansh attacked early, smashing Vaibhav Arora in the initial overs, while Prabhsimran found his rhythm a bit later.
The duo tore into Chetan Sakariya and Harshit Rana, bringing up PBKS’s fifty in just 4.3 overs. Priyansh reached his maiden IPL half-century in 27 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes. Together, they steered PBKS to 94/0 at the halfway mark.
Despite a breakthrough by Andre Russell — who dismissed Priyansh for an explosive 69 off 35 balls — Prabhsimran kept the momentum going. He completed his second half-century of the season in 38 balls and later blazed his way to 83 off 49 balls before being caught at long-off.
Following their departures, PBKS lost Glenn Maxwell cheaply, and Marco Jansen soon after. However, late cameos from Josh Inglis (11* off 6 balls) and captain Shreyas Iyer (25* off 16 balls) lifted PBKS past the 200-run mark.
Among KKR bowlers, Vaibhav Arora stood out with figures of 2/34, while Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell picked up one wicket apiece.
Unfortunately, just as the second innings began, rain played spoilsport, leading to a no-result and shared points.