IPL 2025: KKR and PBKS Share Points as Rain Forces Abandonment at Eden Gardens

Kolkata, April 26 (NationPress) A thrilling opening partnership and a remarkable total from Punjab Kings were swept away by an unexpected and intense thunderstorm, as their match against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 ended without a conclusion at Eden Gardens on Saturday night.

In an unusual decision at Eden this season, Punjab Kings opted to bat first after winning the toss, and they made it count impressively. Fueled by an outstanding 120-run opening partnership between young talent Priyansh Arya and the dynamic Prabhsimran Singh, PBKS amassed a daunting total of 201/4 on a pitch that both sides described as “very dry” and “extremely slow”.

However, just as the chase was about to commence, a sudden downpour, accompanied by fierce winds and debris, forced the players off the field after only one over of the second innings.

Despite the tireless efforts of the ground staff battling the adverse weather, the rain continued unabated. After a delay that exceeded the one-hour mark — the official cutoff time before overs would begin to be deducted — the match was ultimately called off.

Consequently, both teams had to accept one point each, a result that left Punjab Kings visibly frustrated after setting up the match so well.

The innings of Punjab Kings revolved around the dazzling partnership between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who dismantled the KKR bowling attack with precision. Arya was in exquisite form right from the outset, effortlessly executing cover drives and punishing any loose deliveries, while Prabhsimran played the perfect partner before unleashing his impressive array of shots.

The openers raced to 43 without loss in merely four overs and concluded the power-play on a strong note at 56/0. Spin briefly slowed the scoring — with only 21 runs coming in the next four overs — but Arya shifted gears with remarkable maturity. He reached his half-century in just 27 balls, punishing the fast bowlers while respecting the spinners.

The 100-run partnership was achieved in the 11th over, highlighted by a rare expensive over from Sunil Narine, who allowed 22 runs — his third-most costly over in T20 cricket. Arya eventually fell for a brilliant 69 off 35 balls to Andre Russell, but not before providing a solid foundation for the innings.

Prabhsimran, after a cautious start, burst into action. He transformed from 34 off 32 balls to blasting 48 runs off his next 15 deliveries, featuring a sensational switch-hit six off Narine. His final score of 83 off 49 balls was a lesson in controlled aggression. However, Punjab’s middle-order faltered slightly after his exit, with Shreyas Iyer (25 off 16) and Glenn Maxwell (7) failing to capitalize, while Marco Jansen’s promotion to No. 5 did not pay off as he struggled for timing. Nevertheless, PBKS posted a robust 201/4 — a total that appeared even larger given the slow, gripping nature of the Eden surface.

Marco Jansen bowled the only over for PBKS, conceding five runs before the rain arrived. In a matter of moments, the outfield became waterlogged, the covers were seen flying into the stands, and chaos ensued with debris swirling around.

Brief scores:

Punjab Kings 201/4 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran 83, Priyansh Arya 69; Vaibhav Arora 2-34, Andre Russell 1-27) vs Kolkata Knight Riders 7/0 in 1 over (Sunil Narine 4, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 1) match abandoned due to rain