Defending 111 especially against a strong batting side like KKR. For Punjab to pull off a 16-run win shows real grit

Now that’s a classic low-scoring thriller! Defending 111 in a T20 is no small feat — especially against a strong batting side like Kolkata Knight Riders. For Punjab Kings to pull off a 16-run win shows real grit, especially after all the fielding lapses and bowling misfires they've had earlier this season. It’s the kind of match that can flip a team’s confidence overnight. Defending a total that small usually means the bowlers were locked in — hitting perfect lines, mixing it up smartly, and the fielders finally holding their nerve. I’m guessing someone like Arshdeep Singh or Kagiso Rabada must’ve played a key role, or did the spinners finally step up for PBKS? And for KKR, this one will sting — chasing 112 should’ve been routine, but these kinds of collapses tend to haunt teams, especially with the playoffs race heating up. Now that’s the kind of old-school, scrap-it-out IPL match we don't see too often — both sides swinging from collapse to hope and back again! Punjab Kings defending 111 is wild, especially after such a shaky batting effort. Credit to the bowlers — Bartlett and Jansen set the tone right away by knocking over de Kock and Narine in the first two overs. That instantly flips the vibe in a low chase, and once the pressure kicked in, PBKS never let go. And how about Yuzvendra Chahal? After all the talk about him struggling to "get into the tournament," this was the perfect response — breaking the Rahane-Raghuvanshi partnership, then rolling through the middle like the Chahal of old. That LBW of Rahane (even though the batter didn’t review!) was the turning point, and from there he just turned the screws. Also, love the little subplot of Maxwell — struggling with the bat, but still making an impact with the ball — that’s peak T20 adaptability. And Marco Jansen sealing the deal with the Harshit Rana wicket was just the last nail. On KKR’s side, they’ll be kicking themselves. After that strong recovery partnership between Raghuvanshi and Rahane, this should’ve been a chase wrapped up by the 17th over. But that middle-order freefall — combined with Chahal and Maxwell squeezing — completely undid them. Both teams now stuck at six points, but KKR ahead on NRR. This kind of scrappy win might be the jolt PBKS needed, especially after all their dropped catches and awkward bowling combinations earlier. Do you think this shows PBKS are finally turning a corner — or was this more about KKR throwing it away under pressure? Either way, this season’s table is looking tighter than ever!