Punjab Kings’ Jonny Bairstow celebrates after scoring a century in the course of the Indian Premier League cricket match in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on April 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP
Jonny Bairstow was at his harmful finest to smash an unbeaten 108 (48b, 8×4, 9×6) and helped Punjab Kings create historical past by overhauling host Kolkata Knight Riders’ record rating of 261, by eight wickets, on the Eden Gardens right here on Friday.
With this unbelievable achievement, Punjab Kings grew to become the workforce to record the very best profitable run-chase in the annals of all T20 matches.
Chasing the large rating put up by the host, which was the very best T20 complete on the venue, Punjab Kings determined to carry in Prabhsimran Singh because the Impact Player (for Arshdeep Singh). The resolution paid wealthy dividends because the opening batter took the KKR bowling assault to the cleaners, hitting boundaries and sixes at will.
The dwelling facet, which introduced in Sri Lankan speedster Dushmantha Chameera in place of Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, failed to make a mark as Prabhsimran and Bairstow struck a 93-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Prabhsimran (54, 20b, 4×4, 5×6) performed the lead function earlier than getting run out by a direct throw from Sunil Narine.
The worst sufferer in the demolition course of was Anukul Roy, the left-arm spinner whom KKR introduced as Impact Player (for Venkatesh Iyer). Anukul gave away 36 in his two overs as Bairstow took over the duty of annihilating the KKR bowling.
The English batter raced to his century in 45 balls. After his opening stand with Prabhsimran, Bairstow constructed two extra partnerships — 85 for the second wicket with Rilee Rossouw earlier than ending the innings with an unbroken stand of 84 with Shashank Singh. The latter remained unbeaten on 68 off 28 balls, hitting two boundaries and eight sixes.
Earlier, KKR rode on the belligerence of its openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine to attain 261 in its 20 overs. Salt emerged KKR’s high scorer with a 75 (37b, 6×4, 6×6), whereas Narine made 71 (32b, 9×4, 4×6).
That the Knight Riders’ opening partnership flourished was largely due to the largesse of the PBKS fielders who dropped three catches to assist the lethal duo unleash a barrage of boundaries and sixes.
Narine, who was dropped by Hardeep Brar off the bowling of Harshal Patel in the third over when he was 16, utilised the reprieve to spectacular impact. Narine, when on 59, additionally noticed the DRS working in his favour. A leg-before resolution by the umpire was overturned as Rahul Chahar’s supply was going over leg-stump.The charmed lives of the KKR opening duo continued additional as Salt earned two ‘lives’ in the sixth and seventh overs earlier than being dismissed on 75 (37b, 6×4, 6×6) in the 13th over when the rating learn 163.
Brief scores
Kolkata Knight Riders: 261/6 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 75, Sunil Narine 71).
Punjab Kings: 262/2 in 18.four overs (Jonny Bairstow 108, Prabhsimran Singh 54, Shashank Singh 68).