Harshit Rana Breathes Fire as KKR Crush PBKS for Just 111 | IPL 2025 Match Recap

Ever watched a match where a single over flips the entire script? Well, tonight’s IPL 2025 showdown between Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders was exactly that kind of game—and boy, it was a rollercoaster.

Let’s talk about Harshit Rana, the man of the hour, who bowled fire and fury to leave Punjab Kings gasping at a paltry 111 all out. And yep, you read that right—111 in a full-blown T20 game.

The Toss: A Bold Call That Backfired

Shreyas Iyer, leading PBKS this season (yeah, that still feels strange), won the toss and confidently chose to bat first. Honestly, at Mullanpur, it didn’t seem like a bad call.

And at first? It looked golden.

Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya came out swinging, smashing 39 runs in just 3.1 overs. The crowd was buzzing. The drinks hadn't even arrived, and PBKS looked set for a 180+ total.

The Harshit Rana Over That Changed Everything

Here’s the thing about cricket: one over can rewrite destiny.

Enter Harshit Rana—KKR’s young speedster with a chip on his shoulder and a point to prove. He struck not once, but twice in the same over, ripping out both openers and silencing the stadium.

From there, PBKS just… unraveled.

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  Harshit’s final figures? 3 for 25. Ruthless.
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  Varun Chakaravarthy? 2 for 21, and as tricky as ever.
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  Sunil Narine? 2 for 14—just doing Narine things.
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  Nortje and Vaibhav Arora chipped in too, each grabbing a wicket.

It was a team effort—but Harshit was the storm that started it all.

PBKS’s Collapse: From Boom to Bust

After the flying start, PBKS just forgot how to bat.

Dot balls, mistimed swings, and some absolutely brain-fade shots later, the scoreboard read: 111 all out in 17.2 overs.

Painful? Absolutely.

Surprising? Not really. Punjab’s middle order has looked shaky all season.

The KKR Bowling Unit – In Sync and In Charge

Here’s what stood out:

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  Harshit’s aggression: He bowled like a man possessed. Fast, angry, and accurate.
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  Varun’s mystery: When the ball grips and turns like that, batters have nightmares.
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  Narine’s control: You just can’t score off him. Period.

KKR’s bowling plan was simple—choke, strike, repeat. And it worked to perfection.

Real Talk: Is PBKS Running Out of Steam?

Let’s be real here—PBKS has talent, but they’ve been hot and cold. This match exposed the lack of depth in their batting, especially once the openers are gone.

It’s like watching a car with a turbo engine but no brakes or steering.

If PBKS wants to stay in playoff contention, they need serious answers—and fast.

A Word on Harshit Rana – Is He KKR’s X-Factor?

I remember watching Harshit bowl last season and thinking, “He’s got raw pace, but can he handle pressure?” Well, tonight he didn’t just handle pressure—he owned it.

With the playoffs inching closer, don’t be surprised if Harshit becomes KKR’s go-to weapon.

Key Takeaways

PBKS crumbled after a promising start, managing just 111. Harshit Rana's double-wicket over turned the match on its head. KKR’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout. Questions loom over PBKS’s middle order and overall batting depth.

Quick Stats Snapshot