New Delhi: Another year, another IPL! Well, for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), it is another April 26 as they yet again meet on the same date they met last year at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. For the Saturday IPL 2025 fixture, which is going to be a return clash between the two teams, the venue remains the same, and another high-scoring encounter could be on the cards.
PBKS looks to have developed a great rivalry with the Kolkata-based franchise over the years, which can be traced back to the IPL 2014 high-scoring final. Although Kolkata won their second title after defeating them in the final, they have been on the receiving end lately. Talking about the two teams’ last year encounter and their first-leg fixture in the ongoing season, PBKS has got the better of KKR, that too in some clinical fashion.
What happened in KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2024?
For those unversed, last year’s sole clash between the two teams was a nail-biting affair as PBKS went on to register a record for the highest successful run-chase in the history of IPL, which still stands strong. Punjab had invited Kolkata to bat first, and the then Shreyas Iyer-led side piled up a formidable score of 261/6 in 20 overs, on the back of quickfire knocks from openers Phil Salt (75) and Sunil Narine (71).
Victory looked quite assured for KKR, who delighted their home crowd with a rain of fours and sixes. As it turned out to be, Sam Curran and co. went on to chase the target and did the impossible with Jonny Bairstow hitting an unbeaten century (108*) while having the support of newbie Shashank Singh (68*). Prabhsimran Singh too shone with his 20-ball 54 before departing.
Another historic night at Eden Gardens awaits! 💪🏻🦁 pic.twitter.com/u3nj3Vcv1L
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 26, 2025
PBKS reached 262/2 with eight balls to spare and etched their name in the record books of IPL after successfully chasing the highest target. Bairstow and Shashank went all guns blazing to shatter the previous IPL records and secure an emphatic eight-wicket victory in an away game. It was the highest ever successful run chase in men’s T20 as well.
Highest targets successfully chased in the IPL
262 – PBKS vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
246 – SRH vs PBKS, Hyderabad, 2025
224 – RR vs PBKS, Sharjah, 2020
224 – RR vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
219 – MI vs CSK, Delhi, 2021
.@PunjabKingsIPL are roaring again 🦁
A special victory at the Eden Gardens for #PBKS who secure the highest successful run chase in the IPL and T20s ❤️
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/T9DxmbgIWu#TATAIPL | #KKRvPBKS pic.twitter.com/FNxVD8ZeW6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 26, 2024
PBKS vs KKR, Mullanpur, IPL 2025
PBKS and KKR took on each other on April 15 in the IPL 2025, which was their first-leg clash of the season. However, the game turned out to be another nail-biter, this time becoming a low-scoring thriller. The fans in the Mullanpur Stadium’s stands didn’t see much fireworks as the home side was restricted to a meagre 111 in 15.3 overs after they opted to bat first.
KKR, however, botched up this cakewalk of a run-chase as Yuzvendra Chahal weaved his magic and spun a web around the KKR batters, picking four wickets, while Marco Jansen picked three. They effectively halted the visitors at 95, bowling them out under 15.1 overs and establishing yet another record for the lowest-ever total defended in IPL history.
Lowest totals defended in the IPL
111 – PBKS vs KKR, Mullanpur, 2025
116/9 – CSK vs PBKS, Durban, 2009
118 – SRH vs MI, Mumbai WS, 2018
119/8 – PBKS vs MI, Durban, 2009
119/8 – SRH vs PWI, Pune, 2013
Therefore, PBKS now holds two massive records in the annals of IPL history, and both have coincidentally come against KKR, which tells a lot about their budding rivalry.
PBKS vs KKR
Kolkata 2024: PBKS record the highest ever successful T20 run-chase.
Mullanpur 2025: PBKS defend the lowest total in the IPL.
Exactly one year after April 26, 2024, PBKS and KKR will lock horns at the Eden Gardens in what can be termed as a rematch of last year’s record-breaking encounter. What happened when the two teams met in Kolkata last year? Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
