New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) were forced to share points after their crucial clash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was called off due to rain and thunderstorms in Kolkata on Saturday, April 26. Punjab Kings moved to the 4th spot with a point, while KKR remained in the seventh spot on the IPL 2025 points table.
Batting first, Punjab Kings rode on two brilliant half-centuries from their openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh to post a strong total of 201/4 on the board in 20 overs. Kolkata Knight Riders could bat only for one over before a duststorm, followed by incessant rain, led to the match getting interrupted before being called off.
PBKS openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya shone for Punjab Kings with half-centuries apiece. Priyansh, who has been enjoying a stellar debut season, slammed 69 runs off just 35 balls, while Prabhsimran scored 83 off 49 balls. The duo added a 120-run stand for the first wicket, making the KKR bowlers toil hard for their wicket.
The duo got PBKS off to a flying start and dominated the KKR bowlers in the Powerplay. While Prabhsimran took his time to settle down, Priyansh played the aggressor’s role en route to his fifty off 27 balls. The left-hander’s quickfire 69 was laced with 8 fours and four sixes.
After Priyansh’s dismissal, Prabhsimran joined hands with PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer to continue the momentum. Prabhsimran upped the ante seamlessly to finish with 83 off 49, studded with six sixes and as many fours. He added 40 runs for the second wicket with Iyer. However, the middle order failed to capitalise on the strong start for Punjab Kings.
Glenn Maxwell (7) and Marco Jansen (3) failed to deliver before Iyer’s 25 off 16, and a short 6-ball 11 cameo from Josh Inglis helped Punjab Kings post a strong total of 201/4 in 20 overs. The visitors would have felt they missed an opportunity to bag all two points due to rain, having defended a paltry total of 111 runs against KKR earlier this season.
But the no result due to rain would hurt KKR more as the defending champions are currently languishing at the 7th spot on the points table with just 7 points after 9 matches. KKR have only five games remaining and need to win at least four to remain in contention for a spot in the playoffs in IPL 2025.
