Punjab pull off record T20 chase to defeat Delhi

[Reuters]

Indian Premier League, Delhi

Delhi Capitals 264-2 (20 overs): Rahul 152* (67), Rana 91 (44)

Punjab Kings 265-4 (18.5 overs): Prabhsimran 76 (26), Iyer 71* (36)

Kings won by six wickets

Scorecard. Table

Punjab Kings produced a stunning victory against Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League by hunting down a target of 265 to record the highest successful run-chase in the history of T20 cricket.

Punjab crossed the line with seven balls to spare at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, surpassing their own previous best chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.

KL Rahul had struck an unbeaten 152 - the highest score by an Indian in IPL - as Delhi reached 264-2 batting first, but Punjab attacked from the outset and reached 116-0 - the second-highest powerplay score in the tournament.

Punjab openers Prabhsimran Singh, who hit a blistering 76 from just 26 balls, and Priyansh Arya, who scored 43 off 17 balls, set the tone for the visitors with a 126-run opening stand in the sweltering Delhi heat.

Captain Shreyas Iyer then capitalised on two dropped catches by Karun Nair to reach an unbeaten 71 from 36 balls and take Punjab home with relative ease.

However, the record-breaking win was overshadowed by an injury to Delhi's Lungi Ngidi, who was rushed out of the stadium in an ambulance.

With Punjab racing to 43-0 in the third over of the chase, the South African fast bowler back-pedalled from mid-off to attempt a catch off Arya but fell backwards, hitting his head on the turf.