IPL Bulletin for April 16: From PBKS Pulling Off a Thriller to KKR’s Stunning Batting Collapse & Chahal’s Return to Form

The fourth week of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 18 action continued with another thrilling contest as Punjab Kings pulled off an impossible win against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) on Tuesday (April 15) witnessed a low-scoring thriller as PBKS broke a long-term IPL record for the second successive year against KKR.

While one seasoned campaigner put in a shift with his spin, it was one costly error from the opposition that triggered a collapse which in the end resulted in panic as Shreyas Iyer got the better of his former team.

PBKS vs KKR may be in the books, but the action does not stop there as Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals look to get back to winning ways when they clash on Wednesday (April 16). Here is a look at the IPL Bulletin For April 16:

Punjab Kings pull off thriller against KKR in New Chandigarh

Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a remarkable 16-run victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a low-scoring thriller at New PCA Stadium. For a change, an IPL game saw bowlers come out on top with Yuzvendra Chahal being the star of the day.

Yuzvendra Chahal finally arrived for PBKS, bags player of the match

After starting the season on a relatively quiet note, seasoned India spinner and IPL's highest wicket-taker Chahal finally delivered for Punjab Kings and how. The leg-spinner helped the team pull off an impossible win with a spell of 4 for 28, which saw him earn the man of the match award, a first since 2022.

Punjab Kings defend lowest total in IPL

PBKS defended the lowest total in the history of the Indian Premier League during the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in New Chandigarh. PBKS bundled out KKR for 95 posting 111 to win the match by 16 runs. The previous record was held by Chennai Super Kings who had defended 116 against PBKS in the 2009 season.

Yuzvendra Chahal equals Sunil Narine record for most 4-fers in IPL

With figures of 4/28, Chahal tied with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) legend Sunil Narine for most four-wicket hauls in the history of IPL. Chahal and Narine both have eight four-wicket hauls in their IPL careers, the most by any bowler.

This was also Chahal's third 4-plus wicket haul vs KKR, the most by a bowler against an opponent in the IPL. Notably, Chahal has taken 33 wickets against KKR, the third-most by any bowler against an opponent in the IPL.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane's DRS blunder triggers KKR collapse

Rahane's dismissal for 17 in the 8th over of the KKR chase turned out to be the game-changing moment as it triggered a collapse in New Chandigarh with his team falling short of the target by 16 runs.

KKR's innings looked to be sailing smooth with Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi putting on a 55-run stand, but Chahal's introduction changed the match as the leggie ended the stand by trapping the Kolkata captain in front of the stumps.

Rahane was adjudged out LBW but the KKR captain could have survived had he used a DRS as replays showed the impact to be outside off stump. His failure to take the decision up stairs cost KKR dearly as they fell from 62/2 to 95 all out.

Ricky Ponting picks PBKS win over KKR as his best

Australian legend Ricky Ponting hailed PBKS' incredible spirit and resilience after they pulled off an improbable win over KKR, successfully defending the lowest total ever in IPL history before the Punjab head coach picked the match as the best he's been involved in so far.

PBKS complete the double against KKR of highest chase and lowest total defended

PBKS is part of two big milestones of league's history. Last year at Eden Garden's, in Kolkata, when Iyer was captaining KKR, his men were taken down brutally by a Jonny Bairstow-powered PBKS during a successful run-chase of 262 runs, the highest-ever run-chase in T20 cricket history.

Now almost a year forward, Iyer stands at Mullanpur Stadium in Punjab with his coach Ricky Ponting, as a proud captain of a fighting, "never-say-die" PBKS unit, which defended 111 runs, the lowest-ever total in IPL history, showcasing a remarkable reversal of fortunes.

Narine draws level with Bhuvneshwar Kumar as third highest wicket-taker in IPL

KKR veteran spinner Narine has levelled with pacer Bhuvneswar Kumar to become the third-highest wicket-taker in Indian Premier League after a 2-wicket outing against PBKS. In 183 matches, Narine has 187 wickets with best figures of 5/19.

His best bowling figures are 5/19. He has taken a five-wicket haul and seven four-wicket hauls in IPL. While Narine and Bhuvneshwar share the third spot, the leading wicket-takers in the IPL are: Yuzvendra Chahal (207 wickets in 166 matches) and Piyush Chawla (192 wickets in 192 matches).

Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals aim for return to win column

After suffering their first loss of IPL 2025 in their previous outing, Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to bounce back and continue their good run of form when they take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday.