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The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata played host to a historic game between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match turned into a high-scoring thriller, with both teams amassing a combined total of 523 runs. The bowlers were left speechless as the batter unleashed a flurry of sixes (42) and boundaries (37) throughout the innings.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) bowler Ravichandran Ashwin even took to social media to express his worries about the future of bowlers in the face of such dominant batting displays.
R Ashwin voices concern over bowling challenges
Ashwin took to his official Twitter account to express his apprehension for the bowlers following PBKS’s impressive run chase. He remarked that PBKS made the chase look effortless, with the game operating at a run-a-ball pace in the final two overs.
“Save the bowlers” someone plsss
🆘🆘🆘 #KKRvsPBKS #IPL2024— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 26, 2024
It’s run a ball for the last 2 overs of a T 20 game in a chase of 260 +.
Let that sink in. #IPL2024 #KKRvsPBKS
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) April 26, 2024
Also READ: Top 5: Teams with highest scores in a T20 run-chase | April 2024
Highest successful run chase in IPL history
KKR posted an imposing total of 261/6 in their allotted 20 overs, powered by stellar performances from Sunil Narine, who blazed his way to 71 runs off just 32 deliveries, embellished with 9 boundaries and 4 towering sixes. Philip Salt also contributed significantly, notching up 75 runs from 37 balls, featuring 6 boundaries and 6 maximums. Their formidable total seemed daunting, but PBKS staged a remarkable comeback, achieving the target with 8 balls to spare.
Leading the charge for PBKS was Jonny Bairstow, whose exceptional century, scoring 108 runs off a mere 48 balls, included 8 fours and 9 massive sixes. Prabhsimran Singh‘s quickfire 54 off 20 deliveries and Shashank Singh‘s steady 68 further propelled PBKS towards victory over KKR. Bairstow’s outstanding performance rightfully earned him the Player of the Match award in this thrilling encounter.