Yuzvendra Chahal turned the clock back with a vintage performance as he spun a web around the Kolkata Knight Riders, guiding Punjab Kings to an incredible 16-run win in a low-scoring IPL 2025 encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Chahal, Punjab’s marquee ₹18-crore acquisition, delivered when it mattered most, claiming 4 wickets for just 23 runs in his 4-over spell and breaking the back of KKR’s chase.
Punjab Kings had earlier managed only 111 runs on the board, a total that looked far from defendable. But with the ball, they showed tremendous discipline and intensity. Marco Jansen, who had removed the dangerous Sunil Narine in the first over, returned with figures of 3 for 18 and provided vital support to Chahal. Together, they reduced Kolkata from 62/2 to 95 all out in just 7.4 overs.
WATCH – Xavier Bartlett’s Schoolboy Blunder Gifts 4 Runs, Leaves Chahal Fuming in Tight Clash
Chahal’s victims included the KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane (17), the aggressive Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37), and two quick blows in the form of Rinku Singh (2) and Ramandeep Singh (0), turning the tide in Punjab’s favour. KKR crumbled under pressure, suffering a rare collapse that reminded fans of CSK’s famous 2009 defence of 116 — the previous lowest total successfully defended in IPL history.
The moment where Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game 🪄#TATAIPL | #PBKSvKKR | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/D2O5ImOSf4
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2025
A match for the ages! ❤
PBKS hold their nerve and defend a mere 111 in a jaw-dropping thriller!😱#IndianPossible League#IPLonJioStar 👉 #DCvRR | WED, 16 APR | 6:30 PM LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/iCPGkWw1aa
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 15, 2025
Earlier in the evening, Punjab’s batters faltered despite a brisk 30 from Prabhsimran Singh and a cameo by Priyansh Arya, who scored 22 off 12. The rest of the batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards, with Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, and Josh Inglis all failing to make an impact.
WATCH – Marco Jansen Castles Sunil Narine in Fiery First Over to Rock KKR’s Chase
Despite the chaos, it was Yuzvendra Chahal’s fiery spell and Jansen’s early breakthroughs that sealed a dramatic, record-setting win.
Lowest totals defended in IPL history
| S.No. | Team | Total | Opposition | Result | Date |
| 1 | Punjab Kings | 111 | Kolkata Knight Riders | PBKS won by 16 runs | 15-Apr-25 |
| 2 | Chennai Super Kings | 116/9 | Kings XI Punjab | CSK Won by 24 Runs | 20-May-09 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 118 | Mumbai Indians | SRH Won by 31 Runs | 24-Apr-18 |
| 4 | Kings XI Punjab | 119/8 | Mumbai Indians | KXIP Won by 24 Runs | 20-Apr-09 |
| 5 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 119/8 | Pune Warriors | SRH Won by 11 Runs | 17-Apr-13 |
Here is how netizens reacted to the brilliant feat by PBKS:
– Won the Trophy with KKR.
– Finalist with DC.
– Lowest score defended with PBKS.THIS IS CAPTAIN SHREYAS IYER 👑 pic.twitter.com/ihRprpqR1A
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 15, 2025
Shreyas Iyer was not this happy even after winning IPL trophy last year.
This match will be remember forever by each & every PBKS fan, our greatest win ever❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️pic.twitter.com/5gF4sPFz3U
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 15, 2025
WHAT A MATCH 🤯🤯
Chahal is a plot twist finally worth buying 😂
Punjab Kings defended lowest score against Kolkata Knight Riders
IPL is IPLing 🔥🔥
Preity Zinta is happy 😁😁
Maxwell KKHaar #pkbsvskkr Rahane Shreyas lyer Russell #PBKSvKKR pic.twitter.com/wSvHB8OGyU
— SOS (@soswinter) April 15, 2025
🚨 SHREYAS IYER DEFENDS THE LOWEST EVER TOTAL IN IPL HISTORY. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/iAwomBrKqC
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 15, 2025
IPL IS IPLING, SHREYAS IYER DEFENDS THE LOWEST TOTAL IN IPL HISTORY. 🚨
What a match, What a comeback by Punjab Kings 🙏🙏..#PBKSvKKR #IPL2025 #ShreyasIyer#KKHaar #pbksvscsk pic.twitter.com/BDjkmWUgOy
— Ashutosh Srivastava (@Sri_Ashutosh008) April 15, 2025
𝒞𝓇𝒶𝓏𝓎 𝓈𝒸𝑒𝓃𝑒, 𝓁𝒶𝒹𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑔𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓁𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃
IPL is IPLing 💁
PBKS vs KKR
Kolkata 2024: PBKS record the highest ever successful T20 run-chase
Mullanpur 2025: PBKS defend the lowest total in the IPLpic.twitter.com/VHcj6baVJD— CREX (@Crex_live) April 15, 2025
Congratulations to team punjab
Sad for Kolkata .
What a match 😭 Full of dhamaka
WHAT A GAME 🥶🔥#PBKSvKKR pic.twitter.com/sDsPR2RFqH— JustMyThoughts (@iambudha_) April 15, 2025
Neutral cricket fans watching Punjab Kings vs KKR in IPL!
Chahal turning it around, WHAT A Match!#PBKSvKKR #chahal pic.twitter.com/iR6cwdyRXY— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) April 15, 2025
Preity Zinta hugs Yuzi Chahal. 🫂❤️.
What a match 🏟️🔥#PBKSvKKR #chahal #IPL2025
🥹 Aur yaha mai pighal gyi.. pic.twitter.com/Awec4FhgeR
— IPL 2025 News 🏆 (@NewsToday24x365) April 15, 2025
