PBKS vs KKR Highlights, IPL 2023: Punjab Kings Beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 Runs in Mohali

Rain played spoilsport in what was shaping up to be a thrilling finale in Mohali on Saturday. Chasing a big 192 to win, Kolkata Knight Riders had slumped to 146/7 in 16 overs but Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine had struck a six each to keep their team’s faint hopes alive. They needed 46 off 24 but then were seven runs short of the DLS par score at the stage. And the rain ensured the play didn’t resume as Punjab Kings began their IPL 2023 season with a seven-run win. Batting first, Bhanuka Rajapaksa struck a quickfire fifty while captain Shikhar Dhawan made a solid 40 for PBKS. And then handy cameos from Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma and Sikandar Raza pushed the final total to 191/5 in 20 overs. In reply, PBKS dazzled in the first over through Rahmanullah Gurbaz before Arshdeep Singh brought them crashing down with a double-wicket over. A recovery through captain Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer followed before the spinners struck to regain control for PBKS. Andre Russell belted three fours and two sixes in his entertaining 35 off 19 before Curran sent him back to leave a massive dent in KKR’s progress. The rain did the rest.

So the rain is yet to relent and the officials decide that the delay is enough to stop the match. Punjab Kings thus start their season on a winning note. They have won by seven runs – Kolkata Knight Riders needed to be 153/7 in 16 overs when the rain interrupted their chase.

So the visuals aren’t looking too great from Mohali. It’s still raining and the fans have deserted the stands as well. There will be reduction in overs from 7:54 pm (IST) onwards.

PLAY STOPPED DUE TO RAIN! It has been drizzling for some time and now the umpire reckon that it was gotten heavier enough for the covers to be summoned and the players rush off the field. Kolkata Knight Riders are 146/7 in 16 overs. They need 46 off 24 deliveries. As per the DLS, KKR are 7 runs behind – they should’ve been 153/7 at this stage. If the play doesn’t resume, PBKS will win this contest.

OUT! Arshdeep Singh bowls it short and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer wants to guide that over point but ends up being caught at backward point on 34. Another set batter eliminated. KKR 138/7 in 15.3 overs, chasing 192.

18 runs came in the over of Sam Curran but he also got rid of Andre Russell in it. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur has opened his account with a six off the first ball. KKR 136/6 in 15 overs, chasing 192.

OUT! Massive, massive blow to Kolkata Knight Riders. Andre Russell looks dejected. He knows the value of his wicket. Sam Curran drops short and Russell ends up pulling it to deep midwicket where Sikandar Raza takes another easy catch. Russell made 35 off 19. KKR  130/6 in 14.5 overs, chasing 192.

So it’s drizzling now in Mohali. KKR are behind by 10 runs on DLS.

Quite an eventful over from Nathan Ellis. Andre Russell cleared his front foot for a four to mid-off before being dropped off the next. Ellis overstepped and Venkatesh Iyer cleared long-on for a six off the free-hit that followed. The six also came off a no-ball but this time Ellis produced a yorker for a single. 18 runs from it. KKR 118/5 in 14 overs, chasing 192. Time-out.

DROPPED! Prabhsimran Singh has dropped Andre Russell on 20 at short fine leg. A short delivery from Nathan Ellis and Russell goes for a pull shot. Gets a top-edge but Prabhsimran fails to hold onto it.

Rahul Chahar continues. His second deliver is in the arc or Andre Russell who munches on it by launching it into the stands for his first six. 9 runs from it. KKR 100/5 in 13 overs, chasing 192.

With a single, Venkatesh Iyer brings up Kolkata’s 100 in 12.5 overs. They need 92 to win off 43 now.

Andre Russell has walked in next for Kolkata Knight Riders. Left-arm orthodox Harpreet Brar introduced into the attack now and Russell muscles one just over the bowler’s head for a four. 8 runs from it. KKR 91/5 in 12 overs, chasing 192.

OUT! Rinku Singh goes for a slog sweep. It’s a googly from Rahul Chahar. And Sikandar Raza in the deep takes an easy catch. Chahar strikes with his first delivery of the season. Rinku scored 4. KKR in trouble at 80/5 in 10.1 overs, chasing 192.

5 runs and a wicket in the third over of Sikandar Raza. So after 10 overs, Kolkata Knight Riders are 80/4 and they need 112 runs from the next 10 overs with six wickets in the bank.

OUT! Sikandar Raza has broken the partnership. This wasn’t a wicket-taking delivery but it doesn’t matter. Nitish Rana is livid with himself. This was short and wide. Rana went on the backfoot and ends up cutting it away to Rahul Chahar at point to be caught on 24. KKR 75/4 in 9.2 overs, chasing 192.

Just the kind of over Kolkata Knight Riders were hunting for. Rishi Dhawan has been taken to the cleaners having leaked 15 runs in his first over of the match. Nitish Rana started the attack when he swung at the first delivery but got a streaky boundary thanks to a thick outside edge. But his second shot was in control as Rana pulled it away for a big six. Not to be left behind, Venkatesh Iyer showed his power by pulling the fourth delivery for four. KKR 75/3 in 9 overs, chasing 192. Time-out.

Sikandar Raza continues. Nitish Rana brings out the reverse sweep and manages to clear the third man fielder who makes a valiant chase but cannot prevent the boundary. 10 runs from the over. KKR 60/3 in 8 overs, chasing 192.

Nathan Ellis continues and allows just four runs in his second over. KKR 50/3 in 7 overs, chasing 192. Venkatesh Iyer is KKR’s Impact Player, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.