The 42nd match of the IPL 2024 turned out as a great thriller. After Kolkata Knight Riders’ exceptional batting, Punjab Kings registered an amazing batting masterclass. They chased down the target of 262 runs in the 19th over. Punjab Kings all-rounder Sam Curran set an unwanted record by conceding 50 runs or more in six or more matches.
Unwanted Record of Curran:
In the 42nd match of the tournament, Kolkata Knight Riders faced Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens. But as the game progressed, the competition was going intense. While batting first, KKR put on a huge total of 261 runs on the board. In the first innings, Punjab Kings bowlers struggled to stop them. Fielding errors and conceding too many runs put them on the back.
In a high-scoring match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings skipper Sam Curran found himself in an unwanted league of bowlers. Joining the likes of Indian stalwarts and international heavyweights, Curran conceded 50 runs or more for the sixth time or more paralleled Mohit’s seven occurrences, the highest by any bowler in the tournament’s history. Bhuvneshwar, Shami, Cummins, and Rabada share the mark, each tallying six expensive spells.
Adding to his woes, Sam Curran’s performance marked the fifth most expensive bowling figures by a Punjab Kings bowler in IPL history. Surpassing even Afghanistan’s Mujeeb ur Rahman, whose costly 0/66 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019 still holds the record for the franchise’s most expensive spell. Curran’s struggle on the field not only highlighted his personal setback but also underscored the historical magnitude of his performance.
Punjab’s Domination:
In a dramatic showdown between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, the toss favored Punjab Kings, who opted to bat first with hopes of posting a formidable total. Initially, Kolkata’s bowlers exerted dominance, but Punjab Kings fought back valiantly, overcoming some fielding lapses to showcase resilience. Arshdeep Singh shone with the ball, bagging two crucial wickets amidst Kolkata’s relentless pressure.
The turning point arrived when Rahul Chahar’s dismissal of Sunil Narine provided Punjab Kings the breakthrough they desperately needed. Captain Sam Curran and Harshal Patel added to the woes of Kolkata’s batting lineup with a wicket each. Through disciplined bowling and timely breakthroughs, Punjab Kings managed to restrict Kolkata Knight Riders to a challenging total of 261 runs. Despite early setbacks, Punjab Kings’ unwavering determination laid the foundation for an enthralling chase in the second innings.
Entering the match with consecutive losses, Punjab Kings displayed renewed determination against Kolkata Knight Riders. Their refreshed approach paid dividends as Prabhsimran Singh kickstarted the innings with a blistering half-century, setting the tempo for Punjab Kings’ resurgence. However, the spotlight belonged to Jonny Bairstow, whose breathtaking century propelled Punjab Kings to victory. Supported by Shashank Singh’s crucial contributions, Bairstow’s heroics guided Punjab Kings to a resounding 8-wicket triumph, marking a remarkable turnaround for the team.
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