Bairstow’s blazing ton helps Punjab beat Kolkata in run fest
Kolkata, India - Punjab Kings achieved the highest successful run chase in IPL history on Friday, chasing down the target of 262 set by Kolkata Knight Riders, as they clinched an eight-wicket win to break the previous record of 226-6 set by Rajasthan Royals in 2020.
Opener Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten 108 off 48 balls, with eight fours and nine sixes, saw Punjab secure the win with eight balls to spare at the Eden Gardens after impact player Prabhsimran Singh (54 off 20 balls) got them off to a quick start.
Punjab’s 262-2, the franchise’s biggest innings, is the joint highest score in IPL history for a team batting second, equalling Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 262-7 in response to Sunriser Hyderabads’ 2873 in the league’s highest scoring game earlier this month.
Punjab rose to eighth place in the table after their first win in five matches, with six points from nine games.
Bairstow reminder
Bairstow sent England selectors a timely reminder of his big-hitting abilities before they pick a squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in June by scoring an explosive unbeaten century.
Having returned to the Punjab Kings side after missing their last two matches due to patchy form, Bairstow struck an unbeaten 108 off 48
balls. “We knew we had to go ballistic after how they batted,” said Bairstow, who smashed eight fours and nine sixes to be named man of the match.
“We had to take risks and thankfully they came off. I’ve never been faced with a target like that before. So we knew the powerplay would be important and if anything is close to being in your area you’ve got to make the most of it.”
Bairstow and Shashank - who hit an unbeaten 68 off 28 balls - stitched together an unbroken 84-run third-wicket partnership as Punjab posted the joint-highest score in the IPL for a team batting second.
The 34-year-old heaped praise on his Indian team mate who produced some late fireworks himself.
“Shashank’s done it all season, a lovely guy and special player,” Bairstow said.