Punjab Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 16 runs in Mullanpur on Tuesday in IPL 2025. In this low-scoring match, Punjab batted first and scored 111 runs in 15.3 overs. In response, Kolkata's team was reduced to 95 runs in 15.1 overs. After KKR's defeat, captain Ajinkya Rahane took responsibility for the defeat himself. At the same time, Punjab coach Ricky Ponting has revealed that Yuzvendra Chahal had to undergo a fitness test before this match. He was injured, but despite this, he played. Chahal was also the player of the match. He took four wickets. Punjab holds the record for successfully defending the smallest target in IPL.
Captain Rahane took responsibility for the defeat.
Taking responsibility for the defeat, Rahane said that his team batted very poorly. He told the broadcasters after the match, 'I take responsibility for this defeat, I played the wrong shot.' Rahane was LBW off Yuzvendra Chahal's ball, but his decision of not taking a review against the on-field umpire's decision proved costly. In the replay, the ball was seen going outside the off stump. Rahane said that he was not completely sure whether the ball would go outside the wicket. He said, 'That ball would have missed the wicket, but everything started from there. At that time no one wanted to take any risk. I was not sure, so I decided not to take a review.'
KKR's innings faltered as soon as Rahane was out
KKR's innings faltered as soon as Rahane was out and the team lost the last eight wickets within 33 runs. Blaming the defeat on poor batting, Rahane said, 'The pitch was not easy, but the target of 111 runs could have been achieved easily. As a batting unit, we performed very poorly. Our bowlers performed very well against a strong batting unit like Punjab. We showed carelessness in batting and the whole team should also take responsibility for it.'
'Not used to watching such matches'
After the match, Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting said, 'The heart rate is still fast. I am 50 years old now and am not used to watching such matches. Defending 112, we won by 16 runs. I had told my players after the first innings that small targets like these are sometimes the most difficult. The wicket was not easy. The ball was coming intermittently, but what to say about Chahal! What a bowling spell he had! Chahal had to undergo a fitness test due to a shoulder injury. I brought him from warm-up and looking into his eyes asked - friend are you okay? He said that coach, I am 100 percent fine. Let me play and now see how brilliantly he bowled.'
Ponting's best win so far
Ponting said, 'Even if we had lost this match, I would have been proud of the way we progressed in the second half. Our batting was poor and shot selection and playing it, everything was poor, but when I saw us coming out to bowl, I understood. We got wickets early and the lack we had left in batting was not seen in bowling. We had confidence and played with full energy on the field which was worth watching. So even if we had lost, I would have told them that this confidence shows that they are ready for this season. I think in the mid-innings, a lot of people around the world were assuming that we could not defend it. So credit to all the boys. They played brilliantly in this match. I have coached many matches in the IPL and this is the best win I have achieved so far.'
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