Ponting Hails Historic Win as Punjab Kings Defend Lowest Total in IPL History

Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has called his side’s dramatic 16-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders “just about the best win I’ve ever had” in his IPL coaching career, after PBKS pulled off a miraculous defense of 111—the lowest total ever successfully defended in IPL history.

In a low-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens, PBKS turned the tables on KKR in stunning fashion, delivering a bowling masterclass on a pitch with variable bounce and grip. The victory, which propelled Punjab Kings to fourth on the points table, left Ponting and his team elated—and somewhat speechless.

“The heart rate’s still up—probably over 200,” Ponting joked after the game. “At over 50, I don’t need too many of those finishes. But this could be a season-defining moment for us.”

The veteran coach highlighted the irony of the situation, pointing out how just three days ago, PBKS had failed to defend a massive 245. “It just goes to show how funny a game it is. From failing to defend 245 to winning with 111—it’s incredible,” Ponting said.

Much of the credit went to Yuzvendra Chahal, who shrugged off a shoulder niggle to deliver a sensational spell that rattled KKR. “We put it on him a bit during the week,” Ponting revealed. “He had a fitness test today, and I asked him during warm-ups, ‘Mate, are you okay?’ He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Coach, I’m 100% alright—let me out there.’ What a spell he bowled tonight.”

Chahal’s four-wicket haul stunned Kolkata and was central to Punjab’s defense. His performance, coupled with disciplined spells from Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett—who were given the new ball ahead of Arshdeep Singh based on match-up strategies—tilted the game in PBKS’s favor.

While Ponting was critical of his team's batting—calling their shot selection and decision-making “poor”—he was full of praise for their effort in the field and with the ball.

“Even if we had lost that game, I would’ve been proud,” he said. “We brought belief and energy back into our bowling and fielding, and that’s what made the difference.”

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, who was dismissed for a duck after being caught at deep third, struggled to articulate his emotions at the post-match presentation. “My thoughts… it’s hard to express in words,” he admitted. “I was backing my instincts and asked Yuzi to control his breathing—because wickets were key. Thankfully, the right players were at the right place.”

Reflecting on the nature of the pitch, Iyer explained that even in his brief time at the crease, he noticed variable bounce. “One ball stayed low, the next carried off the bottom. Sweepers couldn’t connect the ball properly—it wasn’t easy out there.”

Despite their low total, Iyer felt the team had posted a “decent score” considering the conditions and was proud of how they executed their bowling plans.

With the victory, Punjab Kings not only created IPL history but also sent a strong message to the rest of the league, showing grit, tactical adaptability, and a hunger to fight till the last ball.

Score Summary:
Punjab Kings: 111 all out
Kolkata Knight Riders: 95 all out
Result: PBKS won by 16 runs (lowest total ever defended in IPL history)