Clever Chahal justifies his 18-crore price tag with game-changing spell as PBKS pip KKR in low-scoring thriller

Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have made history in each of their last two meetings, with the former emerging as the winner on each occasion. PBKS had pulled off highest successful chase in the history of the Indian Premier League last year after chasing down a target of 262 with an over and two deliveries to spare on KKR’s home turf.

Fast forward to Tuesday, and the Kings beat the Knight Riders for the second consecutive time , only this time it was the bowlers dictating terms at the former’s home ground. Kolkata appeared destined for a second victory in as many games after dishing out another clinical bowling effort, bowling Punjab out for a paltry 111 after the latter opted to bat.

And at 62/2 with skipper Ajinkya Rahane forming a solid partnership with ‘Impact Sub’ Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the discussion on the game centred around whether KKR could jump to the top of the table by chasing the measly target down within 14.1 overs or not.

PBKS, additionally, had failed to defend 245 at this venue in their previous outing, and barely anyone expected them to pull off a heist of sorts and set a new record for the lowest total successfully defended in the IPL .

And pull off a heist they did in the end, as the Kings produced the comeback of a lifetime to collect a 16-run victory in Mullanpur and jump to the fourth spot on the points table with their fourth win in six outings.

With the IPL becoming even-more batting dominated in recent years following the introduction of the ‘Impact Player’ rule, Tuesday’s low-scoring thriller was a refreshing change and served the cricketing world a reminder of just how joyous a balanced contest between bat and ball can be.

That conversation, however, would not have happened and records would not have been had it not been for one man – Yuzvendra Chahal – and his sensational four-wicket burst in the middle overs.

Chahal justifies his 18-crore price tag with game-changing spell at Mullanpur

Rahane and Raghuvanshi had done a superb job in rescuing KKR after the visitors lost openers Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock inside the first two overs with just seven runs on the board. Rahane played anchor and while Raghuvanshi took the risks as the pair added 55 for the third wicket, capitalising on a number of fielding errors by the Kings along the way.

Chahal, however, made an instant impact after he was handed the ball for the first time in the eighth over of the chase, with Rahane missing a big slog-sweep and getting hit on his right thigh. Rahane had a quick chat with Raghuvanshi, and ultimately decided to walk off, choosing to preserve both reviews for the remainder of the chase.

Hawk-Eye replays, however, would later highlight that the ‘Impact’ was marginally outside off, meaning if Rahane had taken this upstairs, he would have reversed the on-field umpire’s original decision. And possibly added another 10-15 runs in the partnership.

Instead, Chahal’s breakthrough would open the floodgates and turn the game on its head in dramatic fashion. The veteran leg-spinner got rid of the other set batter in Raghuvanshi in his next over, with the 20-year-old getting a thick outside edge that resulted in a simple catch for Xavier Bartlett at backward point.

However, it wasn’t until he removed Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh in successive deliveries in his third over that belief started to set in in the PBKS dugout as well as among the fans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium.

Rinku charged down the track, only to be beaten by the in-drift generated outside off. Chahal found himself on a hat-trick in very next delivery as Ramandeep paddled a low full-toss down leg, only to be caught by an alert Shreyas Iyer who had anticipated the shot.

KKR were left thunderstruck after getting reduced to 77/7 at the end of the 12th over, with Chahal’s figures at the time reading 4/12. PBKS had suddenly seized control of the game, and did not look back from thereon.

Chahal makes case for Team India selection, once again

The leg-spinner didn’t quite sign off on an ideal note as he was smashed for 16 runs by Andre Russell in his final over of the evening. What matters, though, is the fact that it was his spell that gave Punjab Kings a fighting chance in the first place.

It was also a much-needed performance from Chahal, who used to be the first-choice spinner for India in ODIs and T20Is at one point and had formed the celebrated Kul-Cha pairing with Delhi Capitals left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The 34-year-old had been smashed for 56 runs in the dramatic loss against SRH, and had struggled to make an impact so in the 18th season.

“In the last game I conceded 56 for 4 overs, but I had full confidence and backed myself and my abilities. I always have the mindset of how to get the batters out, I varied my pace and if they have to hit, they will have to make an effort,” Chahal said after receiving the Player of the Match award in the presentation ceremony.

On Tuesday, Chahal gave experts and fans a timely reminder of why he is an all-time IPL legend. A few more of this performances this season will not only help PBKS go the distance after years of heart-breaks, it could also bring him back into the conversation as far as the Indian team is concerned, with Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup set to take place in the near future.