In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter, Punjab Kings pulled off one of the most astonishing wins in the tournament’s history by defending the lowest-ever total in a full 20-over match. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game on its head with a sensational 4-wicket performance, helping Punjab defend a mere 111 runs against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders.

Punjab’s bowling brilliance overshadows early collapse

Despite being bowled out for just 111 in 15.3 overs at Mullanpur, Punjab’s bowlers, led by Chahal’s 4/28, dismantled Kolkata’s batting lineup, restricting them to just 95 in 15.1 overs. The previous lowest defended total was 116, set by Chennai Super Kings in 2009.

Kolkata appeared to be cruising at 62/2, but Chahal’s introduction changed the course dramatically. He dismissed captain Ajinkya Rahane LBW — a call Rahane did not review despite ball tracking suggesting it was missing off-stump. Chahal then sent back Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh (stumped), and Ramandeep Singh (golden duck) in quick succession.

Social media buzz: RJ Mahvash calls Chahal a “talented man”

Chahal’s match-winning effort sparked a flurry of admiration online, notably from RJ Mahvash, who posted a photo with Chahal on her Instagram story. She captioned it, “What a talented man! Highest wicket-taker of IPL for a reason! Asambhav!” Her post quickly went viral, adding to the leg-spinner’s limelight.

Punjab climb into top four as Chahal wins Player of the Match

Punjab’s victory lifted them into the top four of the 10-team table with four wins from six matches. Head coach Ricky Ponting hailed the performance, calling it “the best win” of his IPL coaching career. Notably, Chahal played the match after passing a fitness test due to a shoulder injury he sustained earlier.

Kolkata’s late fight falls short

Despite a late attempt by Andre Russell, who smashed two sixes and a four off Chahal, Punjab’s bowlers held their nerve. Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen claimed key scalps, including Russell’s wicket, which led to wild celebrations at the home ground.

Early sparks but no fire from Punjab batters

Earlier in the day, Punjab started strong with Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh adding 39 in just over three overs. However, Harshit Rana’s 3-wicket burst and disciplined spells from Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine dismantled the middle and lower order.

Despite the batting collapse, Punjab’s bowlers, especially Chahal, ensured a dramatic turnaround that is likely to be remembered for years.

In a dramatic twist of events in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) found themselves at the receiving end of an unexpected defeat, failing to chase a modest total of 112 against Punjab. What caught the internet’s attention, however, was not just the result — but a candid moment between Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer after the match.

Following the low-scoring thriller, Rahane, captain of KKR, was caught on camera telling Punjab skipper Shreyas Iyer, “Kya faltu batting kari humne” (What a disastrous batting effort from us), a brutally honest admission of his team’s dismal performance with the bat. The remark has since gone viral, echoing fans’ frustrations over KKR’s unexpected collapse.

From highest chasers to lowest defenders

In a surprising turnaround compared to last season, Punjab — who once chased down the highest target in IPL history — now etched their name in the record books for successfully defending the lowest total in league history. This dramatic reversal occurred against the very same opponent — Kolkata Knight Riders.

Despite gritty attempts by young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi and power-hitter Andre Russell, KKR fell short, succumbing to disciplined bowling led by Yuzvendra Chahal, who claimed a four-wicket haul on a pitch that offered inconsistent bounce and plenty of challenges for batters.

The LBW that changed the game

A pivotal moment came when Ajinkya Rahane was adjudged LBW while attempting to sweep Chahal. The on-field umpire raised the finger quickly, but replays later revealed that the ball had struck Rahane outside the line of off stump. Had he opted for a review, he would likely have been declared not out.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rahane shared his reasoning for not taking the review. “As a batter, I thought I could save the review for later. The communication between me and Raghuvanshi wasn’t very clear,” he admitted. He also accepted that a lack of decisive input from the non-striker contributed to the missed review opportunity, but added, “No complaints. Apart from that, we also were pretty bad as a batting unit. That was the reason we lost today.”

The statement reflects both accountability and a moment of tactical oversight, as Kolkata missed a golden opportunity to climb the points table.

Cricket icon Virat Kohli addressed the buzz around his decision to wipe all advertisements from his Instagram account, calling it a necessary “reset”, during a candid chat with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The move, which left fans puzzled earlier this month, reflects the star’s desire to step back from heavy social media engagement while keeping the door open for future changes.

In a lighthearted RCB video posted Tuesday, Kohli was quizzed about his soaring endorsement value after the Champions Trophy win. With a grin, he quipped, “Yes, it’s gone up!” When probed about his stripped-down Instagram profile, he explained, “I’m in a unique space with social media right now. I’m not feeling like diving in too much at the moment, but who knows what’s next? It just needed a fresh start.”

The interviewer, Nags, playfully asked if Kohli would share their ad-free clip on his account, only to be met with a swift, “Nope!” sparking laughter.

On April 9, Kohli stunned his 70 million followers by clearing his Instagram ‘posts’ section of all promotional content, paid partnerships, and ads, relegating them to the reels tab. His timeline now showcases personal moments—family snapshots, gym workouts, and glimpses of his IPL 2025 journey with RCB—offering a more intimate look at the 36-year-old’s life.

Speculation swirled that Kohli might be redirecting focus to personal ventures, but he clarified that the overhaul was about reclaiming his digital space. “It’s about finding balance,” he hinted, dispelling rumours of a strategic shift.

On the field, Kohli is in top form, dazzling in IPL 2025 with 248 runs across six innings, including three fifties, at a strike rate of 143.35. His latest gem—an unbeaten 65 off 33 balls against Rajasthan Royals—marked his 100th T20 fifty, making him the first Asian batter to hit this milestone. Tied with David Warner for the most IPL fifties (66), Kohli trails only Warner’s 108 in overall T20s.