IPL 2023: Top 3 bowling performances in KKR vs PBKS matches

Two teams who are languishing in the bottom half of the table in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to clash in Match 53 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. As per the IPL schedule, the upcoming fixture will be played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, May 8.

Kolkata will come into tonight's game on the back of a win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) away from home. They are eighth in the points table, with four wins in ten games. Punjab, meanwhile, have won five and lost as many defeats after ten games. They are placed just above KKR on the table in the seventh spot.

KKR have a significant 20-11 lead in the head-to-head over PBKS. Earlier this season, though, Punjab recorded a win over KKR by seven runs (D/K method).

With PBKS and KKR set to renew acquaintances in Kolkata tonight, let's take a look at three of the most impressive bowling efforts in games between the two teams.

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#3 Sandeep Sharma (PBKS) - 3/21, IPL 2014

Sandeep Sharma celebrating with his teammates

Medium-pacer Sandeep Sharma had a terrific season with the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2014, where he took 18 scalps and ended up as the highest wicket-taker for his side.

In Match 15 of the seventh edition of the IPL, he helped PBKS successfully defend a modest total of 132 against KKR in Abu Dhabi.

In order to keep themselves in the game, PBKS needed to strike early. They did just that, thanks to Sharma trapping Manish Pandey (8) lbw with a beautiful in-swinger that beat Pandey's defence.

Sharma then got the big wicket of KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir (1) when the left-hander slashed a length ball straight to short extra cover.

Even as KKR were losing wickets at one end, Suryakumar Yadav was taking the Knight Riders closer to the total. He clobbered 34 runs in just 17 balls to keep the fight alive for KKR. Sharma’s third wicket in the match was the clincher as he ended Yadav's blitz, having him caught at cover off a short ball.

Apart from Sharma, Mitchell Johnson and Axar Patel chipped in with two wickets apiece as PBKS rolled over KKR for 109 in 18.2 overs. Earlier, Virender Sehwag top-scored with 37 for PBKS to give them something to bowl at. Sharma and Co. then turned a fighting total into a match-winning one.

Sharma's spell of 3/21 still remains the best bowling figures by a Punjab bowler against KKR in IPL history.

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#2 Andre Russell (KKR) - 4/20, IPL 2016

Andre Russell celebrating vs PBKS [IPLT20]

KKR all-rounder Andre Russell is better known for his big-hitting prowess in the IPL. But he has also come up with match-winning efforts with the ball in hand.

In the 2016 edition of the tournament, Russell came up with a game-changing performance with the ball. Thanks to Russell's fabulous figures of 4/20, KKR successfully defended a total of 164.

Opening the bowling for his side, Russell dealt PBKS a massive blow in the first over, getting the dangerous Marcus Stoinis caught at mid-off for a duck. Manan Vohra, who batted at No. 3, then perished for a duck to a short ball from the Jamaican.

The KKR pacer returned at the death to claim two more crucial wickets. Russell dismissed the dangerous David Miller in the 18th over before taking the scalp of the evening in the form of Swapnil Singh.

Courtesy of Russell’s excellent bowling, PBKS were restricted to 157/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Russell's 4/20 is still the best bowling figures by a pacer in KKR vs PBKS IPL fixtures.

Piyush Chawla (2 for 27) was the other key performer for KKR with the ball. Batting first, KKR’s competitive total of 164 for 3 was built around Robin Uthappa’s 70 and Gautam Gambhir’s 54.

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#1 Sunil Narine (KKR) - 5/11, IPL 2012

Sunil Narine and his other KKR teammates in IPL 2012 [IPLT20].

At the peak of his career, Sunil Narine, as a mystery spinner, was virtually unplayable. With his variations, he confounded many potent batting lineups. Narine’s best IPL figures of 5 for 19 came against PBKS in Kolkata during Match 17 of IPL 2012.

After KKR fielded first on winning the toss, Narine simply wreaked havoc. Gautam Gambhir handed the ball to the West Indian inside the powerplay and put the PBKS on the back foot straight away.

Narine dismissed PBKS skipper Adam Gilchrist before bamboozling Shaun Marsh (1) with one that spun back in and went through the Australian's gate in the fifth over.

Narine returned at the death to clean up the tail. Bipul Sharma (12) was caught behind off a delivery that turned viciously before Praveen Kumar (0) was cleaned up comprehensively. Narine had his fifth when Harmeet Singh (14) scooped one straight to the keeper.

Narine's heroics allowed KKR to restrict PBKS to 134 for 9 in their 20 overs. KKR stumbled to 88 for 6 in their chase as Piyush Chawla and Bhargav Bhatt claimed three and two scalps, respectively. However, a mature innings from Debabrata Das (35 not out) guided KKR home by three wickets.