Jonny Bairstow starred as Punjab Kings registered a world record against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Friday. The opener anchored the PBKS innings with an unbeaten 108 off 48 as the side scripted history with the highest-ever successful chase in T20s. Chasing a mammoth target of 262, PBKS reached home in 18.4 overs.
Jonny Bairstow starred as Punjab Kings registered a world record against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Friday. The opener anchored the PBKS innings with an unbeaten 108 off 48 as the side scripted history with the highest-ever successful chase in T20s. Chasing a mammoth target of 262, PBKS reached home in 18.4 overs.
Bairstow, Player of the Match, said, We got off to a good start. That was the key. They got off to a good start as well thanks to Sunil. You have to take risks. Sometimes luck will go your way. Some days it won’t be your day. Tried to whack it as far as possible. If it is in your area, you had to go. We had a couple of quiet overs when Sunil was bowling as we knew how important he is for them. Shashank Singh is a special player. The knowledge he has had been amazing.
Sam Curran, PBKS captain, said Very pleasing. Most importantly the win. Cricket is turning into baseball. We have had a few tough weeks. But we hung in there. The way guys train. The confidence and the coaches. The small grounds and the dew. The reviews which might give you an extra ball. We hung in there and managed to chase it down with balls to spare. Pleased for Johnny. What an amazing knock. Shashank Singh has been the find of the tournament for us. Ashutosh as well. Proud of everyone.
Shashank Singh, said,  When I was in the dug-out, I was just watching the behaviour of the pitch, felt it was coming on nicely with good bounce. Just backed myself to hit the other bowlers, was happy to take the singles and doubles off Narine, we wanted to play him out. He has given me complete freedom (on coach Trevor Bayliss), has told me to play the way I can. A big positive when Jonny (Bairstow) supports you (from the other end), he has played 100 Test matches and to see him clap for you, you’ll feel happy and vindicated. We still have 5 matches to go, we’ll take it one match at a time and I believe that we can still qualify to the playoffs.
Shreyas Iyer, KKR captain, said, I would have (taken 260 at the start of the day). The way the batters batted was tremendous to see, Sunny coming in.. the way Salt batted, they delivered and it was a treat for the eyes. Both the teams played tremendously, one of those games where you go back to the drawing board and see where it went wrong especially not being able to defend 260. We have to sum up the conditions and come up with better ideas. It is brilliant to see him (Narine) go out there and strike the ball, hopefully he keeps continuing with such performances.