PBKS vs KKR, 44th Match at Kolkata, IPL, Apr 26 2025 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11.10pm How does the points table look like? The points shared means that PBKS have now entered the top four. They are in fourth position with 11 points, just behind GT, DC and RCB all on 12. KKR, meanwhile are on seventh position with seven points. Thanks for tuning in. We will be live nice and early for the double-header. Till then, on behalf of Abhimanyu, Thilak and Vairavan, this is me Ashish signing off. Ciao!

Eric: "Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is the first time Punjab have had a washout/no result ever in the IPL!" Yep, though Sampath informs that they nearly had a washout vs KKR at this very venue in 2014 playoffs, as it was played on reserve day

10.59pm Righto, the weather gods have won. The KKR-PBKS match has been called off due to steady rain. It's a shame because this was shaping up to be an interesting chase. PBKS scored 201, but at one point they were in line to get 220, even 230. The openers, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh had a solid partnership up top, but KKR pulled back things brilliantly, picking 3 for 43 in the last six overs. KKR scored seven runs in the only over they batted, before it began to rain and never relented.

Deepankar DM : "With this washout, KKR have also entered must-win territory along with SRH. Anything less than 16 points will not be near enough this season. "

Mustafa Moudi : "The result was exactly double than the Target. Target - 202, Result - 404 Not Found :P"

Manoh: "Hey Ashish, ordering some tea and pakoras?" Just had dinner, bro.

saurabh: "does the NRR change from a wash out game? if so, how? " Nope, no changes.

10.55pm Thanks, Abhi. The rain has eased a bit, but it's still steady. Increasingly looking like, we won't be seeing any more play today. But, fingers crossed, we at least get a five-over game.

10.47pm Alright, it's Ashish's turn now for some weather-watching.

Nelson Joseph: "Have anybody tried jinxing the rain? If not, here it comes. " The match will be abandoned due to heavy rain ". Now let's wait and see."

10.42pm Some cheers ring out around the Eden Gardens. Sreshth tells me the rain seems to be easing. It's not stopped yet, mind you, so be cautious with your optimism.

Vishwas : "A washout and odd number of points will take away those NRR scenarios out of the way a bit which are usually extra fun at the end of league phase." -- Hmm I think there will definitely be one of the qualification spots decided by NRR either way. Hard to imagine a season without that!

Shwetanshu : "KKR will be very happy with a point here, they have games against CSK, RR, SRH in their last 5 where they will fancy themselves. If they can win one of the two clashes against DC and RCB they can reach 15 points." -- you have not been cautious at all with your optimism for the defending champions!

10.40pm It's still raining in Kolkata. The covers are still firmly on. "Suggestions are that the ground and pitch is soaked underneath. The groundstaff were really overwhelmed today," Sreshth says. It all sounds to me like a washout is the most likely outcome, but we wait on.

Ravim: "How does the washout affects the playoffs chances? Who is gaining from this?" Well, shared points will see PBKS edge ahead of MI to go fourth, but at this point, that point lost could hurt them in the long run. For KKR, they need every point they can get, so this could leave them at a disadvantage. While GT and DC will be one point clear of PBKS with games in hand, RCB, who have played nine matches, will feel happy with a little breathing room between them and PBKS at fourth.

Tejas: "Does the player scores add up in a washout game? For example, If someone scores a century and game is washed out after one inning, that century adds up to players tally?" -- yes it does.

10.25pm Tomorrow is a double-header day, so you can check out our buildup for MI vs LSG and DC vs RCB. As for today's game, the covers are all still on. It's still raining, but Sreshth tells me that the wind has eased up.

Gowri: "It is 4:51am in Antartica and I am half asleep and waiting for the match to restart, lying on the sofa in Bangalore. The first statement is a random fact." -- hat tip.

Swarnadeep: "I am a local and I can confirm that it looks very very bad. Kalboisakhi this late, and thunder in the sky. The probability of getting another ball is almost nil. Besides we only have 11:30 before its declared a washout."

"Hope this match will get abondened because I have not done good at fantasy app" -- amid all you passionate fans, Faizan is being a pragmatist looking out for No. 1. Big thumbs up from me.

Puneet Mahajan : "beat you all, in Auckland, waiting for game to start.... go pbks!!!"

Sid: "staying up in Brisbane too at 2.38am as a committed Punjab fan. Come on weather"

Anuj: "Waiting for the game to resume from Sydney at 2:30am. The weather apps look promising bar the lightning. " I salute your commitment!

10pm Lightning in the skies now as well.

9.55pm Sreshth says the rain is 'very heavy' now.

Prisha: "@Srividya, I have a feeling it's going to be Venkatesh, but let's see.."

9.48pm More from the venue: "Groundstaff are bringing rocks to put on top of the edges of the covers so they don't fly away. The fans have emptied the stands that are not covered. They've all taken shelter under the covered areas higher up."

Anubhab Mukherj: "54 off 24 with 10 wickets in hand is insanely harsh on PBKS. 140 runs chopped off of 15 overs without losing a wicket is ridiculous." -- C'est la cricket, or however you say it in French!

9.43pm According to the TV commentators, we have around an hour before we start losing overs.

Srividya : "Sandstorms during a cricket match takes one to sharjah 1998. Who is going to be KKR's Sachin tonight ?" Let's see if someone gets a chance!

9.40pm Debris flying all over the ground and the covers are flying into the stands, Sreshth reports from Eden Gardens! Meanwhile, some early calculations from Sampath (who is clearly fearing the worst): KKR's target will be 61 if they return for a 5-over chase (54 off 4 further overs).

It is raining, but the rain is flying sideways showing how strong the winds are, Sreshth adds.

9.35pm And we are off. The covers are being brought on as it starts to drizzle. "Tip tip barsa paani" playing on the speakers. The DJ clearly has a sense of humour. "Dusty. Also the covers are flying all over," Sreshth reports.

jaideep: "the DJ is doing some awesome job.. knows his (or her) trade well..!!"

Sri: "Wow they are covering the entire field! Huge canvases!" -- yep, almost the whole field is covered up.

More left-arm pace. Arshdeep from the other end. Meanwhile, Sreshth reports that the norwester storm in the forecaster has hit. It looks windy out there, no rain yet though, and the groundstaff are waiting to bring on the covers if needed

Narine faces up for the first time today

kaig: "this is going to be a humdinger!!!" I'd hope so, after the last two contests between these two sides!

Jansen from over the wicket to Gurbaz. Here we go

Marco Jansen to start things off with the ball in hand. And we have the confirmation that Brar has replaced Prabhsimran in this second innings.

9.25pm A strange decision to not send Nehal Wadhera or Shashank Singh, more so for the former, given the kind of form he has been in. But have PBKS got enough on the board against an under-pressure KKR batting lineup? KKR need 202 to get a little bit of revenge, and more importantly, two crucial points. The chase should begin soon, with Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz ready to come out. Harpreet Brar has also walked out along with the PBKS team, so it's likely that he is their Impact Player.