Follow UsWho said the Indian Premier League (IPL), in its modern avatar, is a batter’s game with bowlers existing to just get hit like bowling machines? Game 31 of IPL 2025 and we’ve just seen an ALL-TIME IPL record getting absolutely SMASHED, with Punjab Kings defending the lowest total in the history of the competition.
Punjab were bowled out for 111 and at the halfway mark, the consensus was that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would demolish PBKS like they demolished Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a few days back, chasing a similar target.
Well, as it turned out, Punjab didn’t just beat KKR, they OBLITERATED THEM relative to the target. KKR got bowled out for 95 as they lost the contest by 16 runs.
Lowest Total Defended in IPL History
111 - Punjab Kings vs KKR in Mullanpur, 2025
116 - Chennai Super Kings vs PBKS in Durban, 2009
118 - Sunrisers Hyderabad vs MI at Wankhede, 2018
119 - Punjab Kings vs MI in Durban, 2009
What about Shreyas Iyer? In this very fixture last year, he became the captain to fail to concede the highest run-chase in IPL history. He was KKR captain when Punjab Kings chased down 262 at the Eden Gardens. Fast forward a year, Iyer is the Punjab captain and he’s defended the lowest ever total in IPL history….against none other than KKR.
Who writes these scripts?
Along similar lines, Punjab Kings now hold the record for both the highest target chased in IPL history (262), and the lowest target defended in IPL history (111). And both have come against KKR.
Chasing 112, KKR were 62/2 at one point. SIXTY TWO, no KIDDING. From there, they lost their last eight wickets for just 33 runs. One of the craziest collapses in IPL history. Perhaps the craziest ever, considering the target that was in front of them.
KKR’s crazy collapse in Mullanpur
62/3
72/4
74/5
76/6
76/7
79/8
95/9
95/10
The target was defended by Punjab courtesy a stupendous spell from Yuzvendra Chahal, who took four wickets. Not just four wickets, four MASSIVE wickets - Rahane, Raghuvanshi, Rinku and Ramandeep.
This was Chahal’s EIGHTH four-fer in the IPL. He is now level with Sunil Narine for the most 4+ wicket hauls in IPL.
Most 4+ wicket hauls in IPL
8 - Yuzvendra Chahal
8 - Sunil Narine
7 - Lasith Malinga