Punjab Kings (PBKS) had a Herculean task in front of them, defending 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their IPL 2025 clash at New Chandigarh. However, they were let down badly by their fielding. Several fielders committed sloppy errors, leading to multiple boundaries for KKR. The most comical of the errors was made by Australian Xavier Bartlett at fine-leg. He had safely collected the ball, but it somehow slipped through his hands as he tried to throw it, and went for four behind him. PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer did not look pleased at all.
Even more hilariously, KKR were awarded five runs for Bartlett's error. This is because it was counted as an overthrow because he had collected the ball properly before the error happened, hence counting the slip-up as an overthrow. KKR batters Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi had also run a single, adding it up to five.
Watch: Xavier Bartlett's fielding error
Earlier in KKR's run chase, PBKS fielder Shashank Singh had made multiple misfields near the boundary ropes leading to fours for Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
PBKS vs KKR, IPL 2025: As it happened
A fiery powerplay spell by Harshit Rana and some fine fielding by Ramandeep Singh never let Punjab Kings (PBKS) batters roar in their home conditions as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bundled them out for just 111 in 15.3 overs at Mullanpur on Tuesday.
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer was up against his former team, which he led to title last year. But with a two-ball duck and a shambolic batting performance to his team's name, it proved to be a nightmare.
After opting to bat first, PBKS was off to a fine start. Openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran came out all guns blazing.
The duo feasted on Vaibhav Arora's pace, taking him down for 20 runs, with three fours and a six, with Prabhsimran being the aggressor.
However, the combo of Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh, the fielder, kickstarted PBKS's downfall, as Priyansh (22 in 12 balls, with three fours and a six) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (0) were dismissed in same over. PBKS was 39/2 in 3.4 overs.
In the fifth over, Josh Inglis was cleaned up by Varun Chakravarthy for just two. PBKS was 42/3 in 4.5 overs.
In the final over of the powerplay, Prabhsimran launched Harshit for two sixes, unfazed by the loss of wickets. But once again, Prabhsimran was removed by the duo of Harshit-Ramandeep for 30 in 15 balls, with two fours and three sixes. PBKS was 54/4 at the end of powerplay.
Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell tried stitching a partnership. However, Anrich Nortje got Wadhera (10) caught by Venkatesh Iyer while attempting a flick, at deep square leg. PBKS was 74/5 in 8.4 overs.
It was later on, turn of spinners to dominate as Glenn Maxwell (7) continued his poor run, dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy.
Sunil Narine also picked up Suryansh Shedge (4) and Marco Jansen (1). PBKS was 86/8 in 11 overs.
Thanks to a six from Shashank Singh, PBKS reached the 100-run mark in 13.3 overs.
In the 16th over, Shashank (18 in 17 balls, with a four and six) and Xavier Bartlett (11 in 15 balls) were dismissed. PBKS was all out for 111 in 15.3 overs.
Harshit (3/25) was the pick of the bowlers for KKR, while Narine (2/14) and Varun (2/21) were also brilliant. Vaibhav and Nortje got a wicket each.