Plain sentence. Aakash Chopra commended Punjab Kings (PBKS) for achieving IPL 2024’s biggest run chase versus the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
KKR set PBKS a mammoth 262-run goal in Kolkata on Friday, April 26. The visitors finished with eight wickets and as many deliveries to spare, recording their third win in the current IPL season.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Chopra stated that the Punjab Kings’ successful chase surprised everyone.
“Will someone explain what is happening in this tournament? Kolkata made 261 runs. Eight balls and eight wickets were left and Punjab Kings defeated them. They beat Kolkata in Kolkata for the first time since 2018. The Punjab Kings need to be applauded. Did anyone ever think that this was possible? We are all stunned.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener lauded Prabhsimran Singh for PBKS’s strong start and Jonny Bairstow for maintaining the pace.
“Prabhsimran started it and Jonny Bairstow was struggling slightly because he was dropped in the last match and the form wasn’t supporting him a little. However, dropped in the last match and a mic drop in this match. It was a moment like that for him.”
“When Prabhsimran gets run out, Jonny Bairstow just takes off and does not look back. There was no dew and still if so many runs are being scored easily, 300 is not far. They will be scored for sure, if not this year, then next year. I am absolutely convinced.”
Aakash Chopra
Prabhsimran hit four boundaries and five mighty sixes, scoring 54 runs rapidly off 20 balls. Meanwhile, Bairstow remained not out on a scorching 108 from just 48 deliveries, his innings containing eight fours and nine towering sixes.
“The evening was Shashank’s and the date was also Shashank’s” – Aakash Chopra lauds Punjab Kings’ Shashank Singh
While conceding that Jonny Bairstow shown his abilities, Aakash Chopra argued that the day belonged to Shashank Singh.
“Then Rilee Rossouw came for some time. It seemed like the match might get stuck but then came Shashank Singh. The evening was Shashank’s and the date was also Shashank’s because he batted like that. Of course, Bairstow batted well and scored a century. Class is permanent, form was temporary.”
“However, my vote is going for Shashank. The way he batted, played Sunil Narine cautiously and then the pockets in which he hit his shots, he has been absolutely stellar. The day when he becomes a part of the Indian team doesn’t seem to be far because he is batting like that. He is showing his temperament that he is here for a bigger innings.”
Aakash Chopra
Shashank joined Bairstow in the middle with the Punjab Kings on 178/2 after 12.3 overs. The Chhattisgarh middle-order batsman hammered 68 off the following 84 runs to lead his team to a very comfortable victory.