Jonny Bairstow’s century helped Punjab Kings create history at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday as they chased down the highest total ever by an IPL side in the history of the competition against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Set to chase a total of 262 runs, Punjab Kings reached 262/2 in 18.4 overs, due of an unbeaten century from Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow hit an unbeaten knock of 108* runs off 48 balls. He was well supported by Shashank Singh (68*) who hit an unbeaten half-century. Prabhsimran Singh (54) also hit a half-century for Punjab Kings and Rilee Rossouw fell to Sunil Narine scoring 26 runs off 16 balls.

Punjab Kings captain Sam Curran initially won the toss and decided to bowl first. Ramandeep Singh remained unbeaten for Kolkata Knight Riders as Rinku Singh (5) and Venkatesh Iyer (39) lost their wickets in the final over to Harshal Patel. Earlier, Phil Salt hit a half-century along with his opening partner Sunil Narine also doing the same.

Narine hit 71 runs off 32 deliveries and lost his wicket to Rahul Chahar. Meanwhile, Salt departed after hitting 75 runs off 37 deliveries and ultimately lost his wicket to Sam Curran. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Shreyas Iyer (28) and Andre Russell (24) as Kolkata Knight Riders posted 261/6 in 20 overs. But the night belonged to Punjab Kings, who dominated the game in the 2nd innings and eventually sealed an 8-wicket victory.

A total of 523 runs were scored during the match and an all time IPL record of 42 sixes were also hit by the both teams. Both the record chases now have come against the Kolkata Knight Riders in a space of 10 days and at the same venue of Eden Gardens. It was on April 16, Kolkata Knight Riders had failed to defend 223/6 with Jos Buttler hitting a 55-ball ton to pull off the record breaking run chase.

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Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets in a last over thriller. KL Rahul smashed a fifty while Shahrukh Khan slammed a quick 22 runs in 9 balls to win for PBKS. With this win Punjab jumped 5^th on the points table, leaving behind Mumbai Indians. However, KKR are still at 4^th on the points table with better net-run-rate.

From KKR, Venkatesh Iyer once again contributed with the bat, he made 67 runs in 49 deliveries. KKR were a bowler short in their playing XI, as Andre Russell was not playing due to injury. The awful form of KKR skipper continued, once again he threw his wicket (2 runs) early in the match to Md Shami. Apart from Iyer, Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana scored 34 and 31 runs, respectively. Despite of a good start, KKR managed to post only 165-7 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi of Punjab picked 3 and 2 wickets.

Chasing the target of 166, Punjab Kings started very strong. Their opening pair of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal added 70 runs for the first wicket in 8.5 overs. At once PBKS were 129-2 in 15.2 overs and were favourite to win from there, but again they lost their wickets on crucial stage in the match. They lost Aiden Markram (18) and Deepak Hooda (4) in consecutive overs, and gave an opportunity to KKR to comeback in the game. But, PBKS skipper Rahul and young sensation Shahrukh Khan took their team to victory. Shahrukh finished the match with a six. Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy scalped 2 wickets for KKR.

Read Also: KKR vs PBKS: Kolkata to face Punjab in a do-or-die clash

With this loss, KKR’s chances to qualify for playoffs seem to be in problem, with CSK, DC already qualified and RCB at no. Three, KKR, MI and Punjab have to fight for the fourth place.

KL Rahul was adjudged ‘man of the match’ for his match winning 67 runs.

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Kolkata Knight Riders will face Punjab Kings in the 45th match of Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday at Dubai International Stadium. The Eoin Morgan-led KKR have won three of four matches they have played in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. On the other hand Punjab Kings are struggling to find their winning ways, as KL Rahul-led side have lost two of three matches they have played in the UAE leg and are on the brink of getting out of the playoffs race.

Kolkata Knight Riders

In their previous match, KKR beat Delhi Capitals in the absence of their ace all-rounder Andre Russell due to injury. Veteran Sunil Narine was brilliant with bowl and bat both. The only concern their squad have is the form of their skipper Morgan, who is yet to provide anything with his bat. Kolkata’s both bowling and batting looks strong on paper as well as on field. With Nitish Rana back in form and newbie Iyer smashing all over the park, their batting looks sorted.

Predicted XI KKR: Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (c), Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakaravarthy

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings, meanwhile suffered yet another loss in their previous match against Mumbai Indians. With Chris Gayle pulling out of the tournament their batting looks clueless. However, their bowling department is rock solid, with Mod Shami, Arshdeep Singh and young Ravi Bishnoi. Punjab Kings are currently 6th on the points table with 8 points in 11 matches. If PBKS want to qualify for playoffs, this is a must win game for PBKS.

Predicted XI PBKS: KL Rahul(w/c), Mandeep Singh/Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Fabian Allen, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Ellis, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh

Read Also: SRH vs CSK Preview: Bottom placed Hyderabad to face table-toppers Chennai

Head-to-head

KKR have a dominant record against Punjab over the years with 19 wins in 28 matches played between both teams, whereas PBKS have won only 9 times.

Players to watch-out for

Nitish Rana and Ravi Bishnoi

Match will start at 7:30 pm on IST, will be broadcasting on Star Sports Network and streaming platform Disney Plus Hotstar

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