Jonny Bairstow smashed a “ballistic” unbeaten century as Punjab Kings recorded the best profitable run chase in Twenty20 cricket with an eight-wicket thrashing of Kolkata Knight Riders within the Indian Premier League on Friday.
The England star clobbered 9 sixes and eight fours in his 48-ball 108 to assist Punjab overhaul Kolkata’s 261-6 with eight balls to spare in scorching and humid circumstances on the Eden Gardens.
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“We obtained off to a very good begin and that was key. They obtained off to a flyer themselves so we knew we needed to go ballistic within the powerplay,” mentioned Bairstow, named participant of the match.
“Whenever you’ve to chase 200-plus you’ve to take dangers within the powerplay. Try to whack it as laborious as potential.”
Shashank Singh additionally impressed with the bat, making 68 not out off 28 balls with eight sixes and two fours.
The earlier highest run chase in T20 historical past was scripted by South Africa who overhauled 258-5 made by the West Indies in 2023.
“Shashank has performed all of it season, a stunning man and particular participant. To have somebody like him coming in and do that’s unbelievable,” added Bairstow.
The match additionally noticed the batsmen membership 42 sixes – probably the most ever hit in a T20 recreation.
“Cricket has turned to baseball hasn’t it?” mentioned Punjab captain Sam Curran. “Guys can hit balls for lengthy intervals of time, the coaches, coaching, the dew, dot balls grow to be large after critiques and also you get the additional ball. Stats are going out of the window.”
He added: “Actually happy for Jonny, he’s been on tour for a very long time and was keen to attain. Shashank, he was promoted to quantity 4, he’s been our discover of the season.”
Kolkata skipper Shreyas Iyer mentioned his workforce will be taught from the defeat.
“Each groups performed tremendously. You must return to the drafting board and see the place you went flawed,” mentioned Iyer.
“Not defending hurts nevertheless it’s a terrific lesson for the gamers.” Punjab registered solely their third win from 9 video games and moved to eighth spot within the 10-team competitors.
Kolkata, with 5 wins from eight video games, stay in second place.
“From the dugout, I used to be watching the wicket. I felt the ball was approaching with good bounce,’ mentioned Shashank.
“This match, the way in which Jonny batted was an enormous optimistic. It was a terrific studying for me, we nonetheless have 5 extra matches to go.”
Opening the Punjab innings, Bairstow placed on 93 runs with influence sub Prabhsimran Singh (54) and one other 85 runs with South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw (26).
Prabhsimran was run out by a direct throw from Sunil Narine who additionally chipped in with the wicket of Rossouw within the thirteenth over.
Regardless of the 2 dismissals, Shashank continued to unleash large photographs, ensuring Punjab didn’t lose their nerve whereas chasing the large whole.
Earlier, Kolkata obtained off to a blistering begin with Phil Salt and Narine sharing 138 runs off simply 69 balls for the primary wicket after being put in to bat.
Narine, dropped on 16, hammered 4 sixes and 9 fours in his 32-ball 71 earlier than holing out to Bairstow off leg spinner Rahul Chahar.
England’s Curran dismissed Salt who hit a 37-ball 75 studded with six sixes and 6 fours after being dropped twice by sloppy Punjab fielders.
Venkatesh Iyer chipped in with a cameo 39-run knock as Kolkata posted the best IPL whole ever on the Eden Gardens.
