KKR vs PBKS, IPL 2024: Bairstow’s heroics help Kings XI Punjab beat Kolkata Knight Riders in record chase

Jonny Bairstow surpassed hosts Kolkata Knight Riders’ record of 261 for 8 with an unbeaten score of 108 (48b, 8×4, 9×6) in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) (48b, 8×4, 9×6). Scores broke (48b, 8×4, 9×6) history at Eden Gardens on Friday.

With this incredible feat, Kings XI Punjab became the highest wicket-taker in the history of all T20 matches.

Also Read | Punjab Kings record highest number of successful chases in T20 cricket in KKR vs PBKS IPL-2024 match

Following the high score made by the hosts, the highest T20 total at the venue, Kings XI Punjab opted to bring in Pravsimran Singh as an impact player (Arshdeep Singh). The decision paid huge dividends as the opening batsman steered the KKR bowling attack into the clean zone, hitting boundaries and sixes at will.

The home team brought in Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chamera in place of Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, but failed to score with Prabhusimran and Bairstow sharing a 93-run opening partnership.

Pravsimran (54, 20b, 4×4, 5×6) played a key role but was bowled out by a direct delivery from Sunil Narine.

Anukul Roy has suffered the most in the dismantling process, the left-arm spinner KKR brought in as an impact player (Venkatesh Iyer). Anukul scored 36 runs in two overs and Bairstow took charge of wiping out KKR’s bowling.

Also Read | Kings XI Punjab’s highest score chases down Kolkata Knight Riders’ record at the Eden Gardens

This English batsman rushed to score a hundred off 45 balls. After his first match with Pravsimran, Bairstow formed two more partnerships – 85 for the second wicket with Riley Roseau and then back-to-back 84 with Shashank Singh. He remained unbeaten on 68 runs off 28 balls with two boundaries and eight sixes.

Earlier, the Knight Riders scored 261 runs in 20 matches with openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine. Salt was the top scorer for KKR with 75 runs (37b, 6×4, 6×6) and Narine was the top scorer with 71 runs (32b, 9×4, 4×6).