Shreyas Iyer-led side defend 111 against KKR; Abhishek smashes highest score by an Indian
Punjab Kings players celebrate their win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Chandigarh recently. PIC/AFP
Punjab script history by defending 111 against KKR
Punjab Kings secured a stunning victory by defending just 111 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Mullanpur — the lowest-ever total defended in a full 20-over IPL match. It looked like an easy chase for KKR after they were cruising at 62-2 in 7.3 overs, but the defending champions collapsed like a pack of cards, losing their last eight wickets for just 33 runs, thus crumbling to 95 all out in 15.1 overs. Ironically, it was the same Punjab bowling line-up that had failed to defend a mammoth 246 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) just three days back. Ironically, IPL’s top-two run chases have been against the Shreyas Iyer-led side (Punjab vs KKR in 2024 and Punjab vs SRH in 2025), while the Mumbaikar has also captained his side during the lowest total ever defended in IPL.
Abhishek smashes the highest IPL score by an Indian in big chase
Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma carved his name into the IPL record books after registering the highest individual score by an Indian in the tournament’s history. Abhishek smashed a blistering 141 off just 55 balls, laced with 14 fours and 10 sixes, as SRH chased down a massive 246-run target — the second-highest run chase in IPL history — with eight wickets and nine balls to spare. The southpaw, who has two T20I centuries to his name, brought his maiden IPL hundred off just 40 balls. While chasing 246, he stitched a 171-run opening stand with Travis Head (66 off 37 balls) to set the tone for SRH’s commanding victory. Coincidentally, Abhishek holds the unique record for the highest individual score by an Indian in both T20Is (135 vs England at Wankhede in 2025) and the IPL. The game also saw SRH pacer Mohammed Shami register the worst bowling figures (0-75 off four overs) by an Indian in IPL.
First Super Over in four years sees Delhi prevail at home
The IPL witnessed its first Super Over since 2021 after RR were restricted by Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Wednesday. The match went to a one-over elimination after DC pacer Mitchell Starc defended nine runs in the final over to tie the game, with both teams finishing on 188. Sharp fielding, including two run-outs, helped the hosts restrict RR to just 11 in the Super Over despite conceding two boundaries. DC, in reply, chased down the target in just four balls.
At 43, Dhoni becomes IPL's oldest Player of the Match
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has proved that age is just a number as he became the oldest player in IPL (43 years and 280 days) to win the Player of the Match award. The wicketkeeper-batter surpassed former KKR Australian wrist-spinner Brad Hogg (43 years, 81 days in 2015) after guiding his team to victory with a match-winning unbeaten 26 off just 11 balls against Lucknow Super Giants (LSK). Dhoni came in to bat with CSK needing 56 off 30 balls. He, along with Shivam Dube, stitched a 57-run stand off just 27 balls to guide CSK home. Dhoni’s innings was laced with four fours and a one-handed six off pacer Shardul Thakur. The ’keeper also affected one stumping, one run-out and claimed one catch during LSG’s innings.
MI claw back to keep their record intact
Just when it seemed like DC was all set to become the first team to chase a 200-plus target against Mumbai Indians, the five-time champions clawed back to defend their long-standing record in IPL. Chasing 206 at Kotla, DC looked well on course at 119-1 in just 10.1 overs, thanks to comeback man Karun Nair’s 89 off 40 balls. But leggie Karn Sharma (3-36) and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (2-43) spun a web around the DC batters as the hosts collapsed to 160-3 in 15.3 overs. There was no looking back for the Hardik Pandya-led team after that as they went on to bowl out DC for 193 in 19 overs, thus winning the game by 12 runs and keeping their record intact of defending a target above 200 in IPL.
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