Jonny Bairstow slammed an unbeaten ton as Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a record chase in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. Bairstow, who had a horror start to the campaign, smashed 108 off just 48 balls as PBKS achieved 262, the biggest-ever IPL chase. The visitors achieved the total with 8 wickets and as many balls to spare. KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir was mostly calm on Friday despite the heartbreaking loss to Punjab.
However, there was one moment when Gambhir lost his cool and the incident caught the attention of the fans on social media. The incident happened after the final ball of the 14th over of KKR’s innings.
PBKS spinner Rahul Chahar bowled a shorter delivery outside off as Andre Russell rocked back to cut it through cover. However, Ashutosh Sharma made an dive to stop the ball inside the circle.
Ashutosh quickly threw the ball at the keeper’s end, but it was a bit wayvard as Russell quickly stole an overthrow. However, the on-field umpires denied KKR the run off the overthrow, saying that he had already called for the end of the over.
This left Gambhir a bit agitated as he decided to have a go at a match official, who was standing near the dugout. KKR captain Shreyas Iyer was also present at the scene.
The argument between Gambhir and the fourth umpire went for a while before the former KKR captain walked back.
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) April 27, 2024
Meanwhile, Bairstow, who clobbered nine sixes and eight fours, was named ‘Player of the Match’.
“We got off to a good start and that was key. They got off to a flier themselves so we knew we had to go ballistic in the powerplay,” Bairstow said after the match.
“When you’ve to chase 200-plus you’ve to take risks in the powerplay. Try and whack it as hard as possible,” he added.
Apart from Bairstow, Shashank Singh also impressed with the bat, making 68 not out off 28 balls with eight sixes and two fours.
