Punjab Kings Win Rain-affected IPL Season Opener against Kolkata Knight Riders through DLS Method

In the opening match of the Indian Premier League, Punjab Kings defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by seven runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-affected game. Chasing a target of 192, KKR were left stranded at 146 for 7 after 16 overs when heavy downpour put a spanner on their hard work. The DLS par score at that time was 153. The start of the second innings was delayed by about 30 minutes due to the malfunctioning of the six floodlights installed at the PCA Stadium. Punjab Kings’ costliest recruit, Sam Curran, dismissed the dangerous Andre Russell at a crucial time to ensure victory. If KKR had not lost Russell and Venkatesh Iyer to Arshdeep Singh in the 15th and 16th over, the par score would have been lower before heavens opened up. Arshdeep’s brilliant figures of 3/19 in 3 overs proved to be a game-changer for the ‘Red Devils’. Earlier in the first half, Bhanuka Rajapaksa slammed a quickfire 50 to guide Punjab Kings to a challenging 191 for five against Kolkata Knight Riders. Rajapaksa added 86 runs for the second wicket with captain Shikhar Dhawan (40) to lay a strong platform, with Sam Curran (26 not out) providing late flurry on a batting-friendly wicket.