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Punjab Kings (PBKS) created history by chasing the highest-ever total in T20 cricket. A target of 262 set by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was chased by PBKS with eight wickets and eight balls to spare.
The Eden Gardens in Kolkata witnessed a run feast on Friday, April 26, when 523 runs were scored in 38.4 overs. The said run chase by PBKS shows that no total is safe in IPL 2024, with teams easily chasing down big totals.
On that note, here is a look at the top five expert reactions to the stunning run-chase by PBKS:
#1 Tom Moody
The former Aussie all-rounder was in awe of the run-chase by PBKS. In a post on X, he praised Jonny Bairstow for his brilliant century. Bairstow was left out of the playing XI for a couple of matches after a lean patch with the bat but made a solid comeback.
Moody said:
"Mind blowing chase from @PunjabKingsIPL, Jonny Bairstow back with a bang! Shashank contines his dream tournament, what a cameo".
Moody also had a special mention for Shashank Singh, who has made a name for himself in IPL 2024 and is having a dream tournament. Shashank has scored 263 runs in nine innings so far in IPL 2024, averaging 65.75 and at an astounding strike rate of 182.64.
#2 Dale Steyn
The former South African speed gun heaped praises on Shashank Singh following his heroics in the run-chase against KKR.
Shashank Singh's unbeaten knock of 68 from 28 balls against KKR included eight maximums and he struck at a strike rate of 242.86.
Dale Steyn was the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022 when Shashank Singh played his first-ever IPL season. Steyn praised Singh for his hard work and attributes.
He tweeted as under:
"I couldn't be happier for Shashank! He was with us at SRH a few years ago, such a hard worker, a great team guy, gives it his all and always has a smile on his face. Well done my friend! So well deserved."
#3 Aakash Chopra
The former Indian opener was all praises for PBKS after they chased down the massive target. In a video on YouTube, he said:
"Will someone explain what is happening in this tournament? Kolkata made 261 runs. Eight balls and eight wickets were left and Punjab Kings defeated them. They beat Kolkata in Kolkata for the first time since 2018. The Punjab Kings need to be applauded. Did anyone ever think that this was possible? We are all stunned."
He added that the score of 300 will be breached soon in the IPL.
"When Prabhsimran gets run out, Jonny Bairstow just takes off and does not look back. There was no dew and still if so many runs are being scored easily, 300 is not far. They will be scored for sure, if not this year, then next year. I am absolutely convinced," he said.
#4 Irfan Pathan
The former Indian all-rounder expressed his views on X following the match between PBKS and KKR.
He stated that cricket has changed and so has the mindset of batsmen.
A target of 262 being chased with ease in less than 20 overs reflects that the game of cricket has indeed changed. With the advent of T20 cricket, no total is safe in the shortest format. Flat pitches, shorter boundaries, and the introduction of impact sub in IPL has led to massive totals being scored in IPL 2024.
His views were as under:
"Cricket has changed . Mind set of batsmen has changed.
#5 Simon Doull
The former Kiwi pacer said in an interview with Cricbuzz that it is tough to be a bowler in today's day and age in T20 cricket. He added that the pitch curator wanted a run feast, he had done a good job of creating a belter of a pitch.
He also said that though the wicket at the Eden Gardens was a batting beauty, KKR bowlers were guilty of predictable bowling which cost them the game.
Doull said:
"If the curator has decided he wants a run feast, he has done a great job because he has got one. It was entertainig but it was tough on the bowlers. Its great to watch to its tough to be a bowler in these conditions."
He further added:
"You go back to the drawing board, you look at what went wrong. The bowling attack was changed a bit. It just hasn't worked for them. They have become a bot predictable with pace off into the surface. There wasn't much variation".
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