Punjab Kings scripted the most breathtaking successful chase in IPL history on Saturday, reaching 265 against Delhi Capitals in Delhi to pull off a record run chase. Yet for Karun Nair, the night carried a cruel twist—two dropped chances involving Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer in the space of four balls became the clearest moments of heartbreak, even as Iyer went on to steer the chase with composed authority.
Key takeaways
- Punjab Kings completed the highest successful run chase in IPL history by chasing 265 against Delhi Capitals in Delhi.
- Karun Nair dropped Shreyas Iyer twice within four balls, both chances coming during a crucial period late in the innings.
- After surviving those errors, Iyer struck 71 off 36 balls and finished the chase with seven balls remaining.
- Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya provided the foundation with a 126-run opening partnership in 6.5 overs.
- Punjab posted 105/0 in the powerplay—the highest powerplay total of the season.
Nair’s missed chances, and how the game swung
The first let-off arrived on the final ball of the 15th over. Vipraj Nigam got Iyer to mistime a lofted shot, sending it straight towards long-off. Nair stepped forward, got himself set under the ball and looked certain to take a straightforward catch—but it slipped from his grasp.
The miss visibly jolted the Delhi side. Vipraj was left stunned, while Nair sat down on the ground with his head in his hands, clearly frustrated that a key moment had gone begging.
Delhi received another chance to strike just four deliveries later. On the second ball of the 16th over, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a delivery that brought Iyer into the pull. It was the wrong’un, and the ball came off the top edge, sailing high towards long-on. Again, Nair got into position and again the catch was not taken.
After the second drop, Nair appeared shaken—on the verge of breaking down—as Delhi watched another major opportunity slip away.
Iyer’s calm finish seals the record chase
Those two reprieves proved decisive. Once Iyer had survived the let-offs, he made sure Delhi’s mistakes were punished. Staying calm after landing under pressure, he compiled 71 off 36 balls, guiding Punjab’s chase and ensuring the target was reached with seven balls to spare.
With that finish, Punjab Kings completed their 265 chase—now officially the top successful chase in IPL history.
How Punjab built the chase
Punjab’s pursuit of 265 started with a strong platform from their openers, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya. Prabhsimran struck 76 off 26 balls, smashing nine fours and five sixes, while Priyansh made 43 off 17 deliveries with two fours and five sixes.
Together, the pair amassed 126 runs for the opening wicket in just 6.5 overs and drove Punjab to 105/0 in the powerplay. That powerplay total stood as the highest of the season.
Punjab then lost three wickets in quick succession, but Iyer steadied the innings and maximised the value of the chances that came his way. His innings, powered by those dropped opportunities, ultimately carried the side to a historic chase.
