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Deadspin | Avalanche face Blues, hoping to clinch top seed in the West Apr 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and center Martin Necas (88) and center Brock Nelson (11) celebrates an empty goal scored by MacKinnon against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Colorado Avalanche are a win away from clinching the top seed in the Western Conference after a gritty 2-0 road victory at Dallas on Saturday. They will try for that victory when they host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night. Colorado (50-15-10, 110 points) has an eight-point lead over the Stars, who can only earn 10 more points the rest of the way. The Avalanche, who took the season series from Dallas with Saturday’s win, have won 50 games for the fourth time in the last five years. One of those 50 victories came against St. Louis (32-31-12, 76 points) in Colorado on Dec. 31. Nathan MacKinnon had two goals in the 6-1 win and leads the NHL with 51 after his empty-netter Saturday, and is third in the league with 122 points (71 assists). Offensive-minded defenseman Cale Makar had an assist in the New Year’s Eve game but is sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered Monday night against Calgary, but the Avalanche have plenty of other weapons. Martin Necas has a career-high 94 points (36 goals, 58 assists) and Brock Nelson, with 33 goals, gives Colorado three players with 30 or more. There are two others with 20 goals and Parker Kelly can make it three if he can get one in the final seven games. Kelly’s previous career high was eight goals but he surpassed that in mid-January. The bottom-six forward has seen time on the top two lines and credits MacKinnon for helping him improve offensively. “He’s helped a lot with my offensive game, probably more than the outside public would see,” Kelly told The Denver Gazette. “It’s always good little pointers that I would have never thought of before with myself. Great leader, great teammate, and there’s a reason he’s the best in the world.” The Blues have surged since the Olympic break to get into the chase for the wild card. Their 6-2 win at Anaheim on Friday night improved their record to 12-3-3 since Feb. 4, and they are 6-2-2 in their last 10. The victory over the Ducks ended a two-game skid and came with another strong game from leading scorer Rob Thomas. Thomas had a goal and two assists and now has 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in just 57 games this season. His two assists Friday night set up Dylan Holloway for power-play goals, including the last one to ice the game. “He’s the most underrated passer in the league,” Holloway said of Thomas. “Such a nice pass and I was kind of blessed to have that lay right on my tape like that.” St. Louis has moved into contention despite being a seller at the trade deadline. The Blues dealt Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk last month in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Holloway, who leads St. Louis with 19 goals, has scored seven of those since the trade deadline. He is fourth on the Blues with 40 points behind Pavel Buchnevich’s 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) and Jordan Kyrou’s 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). -Field Level Media #Deadspin #Avalanche #face #Blues #hoping #clinch #top #seed #West

Deadspin | Avalanche face Blues, hoping to clinch top seed in the West
Deadspin | Avalanche face Blues, hoping to clinch top seed in the West Apr 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and center Martin Necas (88) and center Brock Nelson (11) celebrates an empty goal scored by MacKinnon against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Colorado Avalanche are a win away from clinching the top seed in the Western Conference after a gritty 2-0 road victory at Dallas on Saturday. They will try for that victory when they host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night. Colorado (50-15-10, 110 points) has an eight-point lead over the Stars, who can only earn 10 more points the rest of the way. The Avalanche, who took the season series from Dallas with Saturday’s win, have won 50 games for the fourth time in the last five years. One of those 50 victories came against St. Louis (32-31-12, 76 points) in Colorado on Dec. 31. Nathan MacKinnon had two goals in the 6-1 win and leads the NHL with 51 after his empty-netter Saturday, and is third in the league with 122 points (71 assists). Offensive-minded defenseman Cale Makar had an assist in the New Year’s Eve game but is sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered Monday night against Calgary, but the Avalanche have plenty of other weapons. Martin Necas has a career-high 94 points (36 goals, 58 assists) and Brock Nelson, with 33 goals, gives Colorado three players with 30 or more. There are two others with 20 goals and Parker Kelly can make it three if he can get one in the final seven games. Kelly’s previous career high was eight goals but he surpassed that in mid-January. The bottom-six forward has seen time on the top two lines and credits MacKinnon for helping him improve offensively. “He’s helped a lot with my offensive game, probably more than the outside public would see,” Kelly told The Denver Gazette. “It’s always good little pointers that I would have never thought of before with myself. Great leader, great teammate, and there’s a reason he’s the best in the world.” The Blues have surged since the Olympic break to get into the chase for the wild card. Their 6-2 win at Anaheim on Friday night improved their record to 12-3-3 since Feb. 4, and they are 6-2-2 in their last 10. The victory over the Ducks ended a two-game skid and came with another strong game from leading scorer Rob Thomas. Thomas had a goal and two assists and now has 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in just 57 games this season. His two assists Friday night set up Dylan Holloway for power-play goals, including the last one to ice the game. “He’s the most underrated passer in the league,” Holloway said of Thomas. “Such a nice pass and I was kind of blessed to have that lay right on my tape like that.” St. Louis has moved into contention despite being a seller at the trade deadline. The Blues dealt Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk last month in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Holloway, who leads St. Louis with 19 goals, has scored seven of those since the trade deadline. He is fourth on the Blues with 40 points behind Pavel Buchnevich’s 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) and Jordan Kyrou’s 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). -Field Level Media #Deadspin #Avalanche #face #Blues #hoping #clinch #top #seed #WestApr 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and center Martin Necas (88) and center Brock Nelson (11) celebrates an empty goal scored by MacKinnon against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche are a win away from clinching the top seed in the Western Conference after a gritty 2-0 road victory at Dallas on Saturday.

They will try for that victory when they host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night.

Colorado (50-15-10, 110 points) has an eight-point lead over the Stars, who can only earn 10 more points the rest of the way. The Avalanche, who took the season series from Dallas with Saturday’s win, have won 50 games for the fourth time in the last five years.

One of those 50 victories came against St. Louis (32-31-12, 76 points) in Colorado on Dec. 31. Nathan MacKinnon had two goals in the 6-1 win and leads the NHL with 51 after his empty-netter Saturday, and is third in the league with 122 points (71 assists).

Offensive-minded defenseman Cale Makar had an assist in the New Year’s Eve game but is sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered Monday night against Calgary, but the Avalanche have plenty of other weapons. Martin Necas has a career-high 94 points (36 goals, 58 assists) and Brock Nelson, with 33 goals, gives Colorado three players with 30 or more.

There are two others with 20 goals and Parker Kelly can make it three if he can get one in the final seven games. Kelly’s previous career high was eight goals but he surpassed that in mid-January. The bottom-six forward has seen time on the top two lines and credits MacKinnon for helping him improve offensively.


“He’s helped a lot with my offensive game, probably more than the outside public would see,” Kelly told The Denver Gazette. “It’s always good little pointers that I would have never thought of before with myself. Great leader, great teammate, and there’s a reason he’s the best in the world.”

The Blues have surged since the Olympic break to get into the chase for the wild card. Their 6-2 win at Anaheim on Friday night improved their record to 12-3-3 since Feb. 4, and they are 6-2-2 in their last 10.

The victory over the Ducks ended a two-game skid and came with another strong game from leading scorer Rob Thomas. Thomas had a goal and two assists and now has 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in just 57 games this season.

His two assists Friday night set up Dylan Holloway for power-play goals, including the last one to ice the game.

“He’s the most underrated passer in the league,” Holloway said of Thomas. “Such a nice pass and I was kind of blessed to have that lay right on my tape like that.”

St. Louis has moved into contention despite being a seller at the trade deadline. The Blues dealt Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk last month in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Holloway, who leads St. Louis with 19 goals, has scored seven of those since the trade deadline.

He is fourth on the Blues with 40 points behind Pavel Buchnevich’s 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) and Jordan Kyrou’s 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists).


-Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Avalanche #face #Blues #hoping #clinch #top #seed #West

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Apr 4, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and center Martin Necas (88) and center Brock Nelson (11) celebrates an empty goal scored by MacKinnon against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche are a win away from clinching the top seed in the Western Conference after a gritty 2-0 road victory at Dallas on Saturday.

They will try for that victory when they host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night.

Colorado (50-15-10, 110 points) has an eight-point lead over the Stars, who can only earn 10 more points the rest of the way. The Avalanche, who took the season series from Dallas with Saturday’s win, have won 50 games for the fourth time in the last five years.

One of those 50 victories came against St. Louis (32-31-12, 76 points) in Colorado on Dec. 31. Nathan MacKinnon had two goals in the 6-1 win and leads the NHL with 51 after his empty-netter Saturday, and is third in the league with 122 points (71 assists).

Offensive-minded defenseman Cale Makar had an assist in the New Year’s Eve game but is sidelined with an upper-body injury suffered Monday night against Calgary, but the Avalanche have plenty of other weapons. Martin Necas has a career-high 94 points (36 goals, 58 assists) and Brock Nelson, with 33 goals, gives Colorado three players with 30 or more.

There are two others with 20 goals and Parker Kelly can make it three if he can get one in the final seven games. Kelly’s previous career high was eight goals but he surpassed that in mid-January. The bottom-six forward has seen time on the top two lines and credits MacKinnon for helping him improve offensively.

“He’s helped a lot with my offensive game, probably more than the outside public would see,” Kelly told The Denver Gazette. “It’s always good little pointers that I would have never thought of before with myself. Great leader, great teammate, and there’s a reason he’s the best in the world.”

The Blues have surged since the Olympic break to get into the chase for the wild card. Their 6-2 win at Anaheim on Friday night improved their record to 12-3-3 since Feb. 4, and they are 6-2-2 in their last 10.

The victory over the Ducks ended a two-game skid and came with another strong game from leading scorer Rob Thomas. Thomas had a goal and two assists and now has 53 points (18 goals, 35 assists) in just 57 games this season.

His two assists Friday night set up Dylan Holloway for power-play goals, including the last one to ice the game.

“He’s the most underrated passer in the league,” Holloway said of Thomas. “Such a nice pass and I was kind of blessed to have that lay right on my tape like that.”

St. Louis has moved into contention despite being a seller at the trade deadline. The Blues dealt Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk last month in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Holloway, who leads St. Louis with 19 goals, has scored seven of those since the trade deadline.

He is fourth on the Blues with 40 points behind Pavel Buchnevich’s 44 points (17 goals, 27 assists) and Jordan Kyrou’s 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists).

-Field Level Media

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The Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble Ends at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium were on Sunday officially unveiled at a ceremony attended by the stalwarts’ family members.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president and long-time teammate of the two legends, Venkatesh Prasad and vice-president Sujith Somasundar oversaw the official unveiling along with other association officials.

The KSCA had announced on February 14 that Dravid, owner of 24,177 international runs, Kumble, who has 956 international wickets, and former India woman cricketer Shantha Rangaswamy will have ends/stands named after them at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The old BEML end at far corner was renamed after Dravid while the pavilion end was rechristened after Kumble.

“It’s been a second home to me. It’s been a place where we’ve probably spent more time than we have in our houses. But it’s also a place that has truly given me everything I have today. I can never be grateful enough for what the KSCA and this great, iconic ground have given me in my life.

“I’m truly thankful that Venkatesh Prasad and his committee have decided to name an end after me. It means a lot. I know this would mean a lot to my family as well,” Dravid had said.

His mother Pushpa Dravid and brother Vijay were witness to the grand occasion. Kumble’s family too was in attendance through wife Chetana, son Mayas and daughters Aaruni and Swasthi.

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#Rahul #Dravid #Anil #Kumble #Ends #unveiled #Chinnaswamy #Stadium">Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble Ends unveiled at Chinnaswamy Stadium The Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble Ends at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium were on Sunday officially unveiled at a ceremony attended by the stalwarts’ family members.The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president and long-time teammate of the two legends, Venkatesh Prasad and vice-president Sujith Somasundar oversaw the official unveiling along with other association officials.The KSCA had announced on February 14 that Dravid, owner of 24,177 international runs, Kumble, who has 956 international wickets, and former India woman cricketer Shantha Rangaswamy will have ends/stands named after them at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.The old BEML end at far corner was renamed after Dravid while the pavilion end was rechristened after Kumble.“It’s been a second home to me. It’s been a place where we’ve probably spent more time than we have in our houses. But it’s also a place that has truly given me everything I have today. I can never be grateful enough for what the KSCA and this great, iconic ground have given me in my life.“I’m truly thankful that Venkatesh Prasad and his committee have decided to name an end after me. It means a lot. I know this would mean a lot to my family as well,” Dravid had said.His mother Pushpa Dravid and brother Vijay were witness to the grand occasion. Kumble’s family too was in attendance through wife Chetana, son Mayas and daughters Aaruni and Swasthi.Published on Apr 05, 2026 #Rahul #Dravid #Anil #Kumble #Ends #unveiled #Chinnaswamy #Stadium

Deadspin | Oklahoma, West Virginia see momentum opportunity in Crown championship Mar 13, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Porter Moser reacts to a called foul against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Imagesduring the first half This time last year, Nebraska took home the inaugural College Basketball Crown trophy. The winner of Sunday’s championship game in Las Vegas between Oklahoma and West Virginia will hope to carry similar momentum into next season. Oklahoma (21-15) endured a nine-game losing streak in the heart of Southeastern Conference play, ultimately dooming its NCAA Tournament chances before finishing as the first team left out of the 68-team field. The Sooners face former Big 12 rival West Virginia on Sunday in the program’s first championship game since their 1991 NIT final loss to Stanford. For Oklahoma coach Porter Moser, the decision to accept the bid wasn’t a tough one, and so far, it’s paid off. “I’m not going to lie, it was a very hard Selection Sunday,” Moser said. “The emotions were very raw, because of how much these guys battled through when no one else believed. We felt we should have been in (the tournament), but that’s for a later discussion. We could either talk about that, or we could show them why they made a mistake.” After beating Colorado 90-86 in overtime on Wednesday in the quarterfinals, Oklahoma got 21 points from Xzayvier Brown in its 82-69 victory over Baylor on Saturday. Nijel Pack’s 16.6 points per game pace the Sooners, while Brown adds 15.5. West Virginia (20-14) beat Creighton 87-70 in the semifinals on Saturday to earn its first 20-win season since the 2019-20 campaign. One more victory would give the Mountaineers their first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT. First-year head coach Ross Hodge’s team flirted with the NCAA Tournament bubble all season. When that dream fell short, there were no doubts about heading to Las Vegas. “There was no conversation that needed to be had about playing,” Hodge said. “These guys love each other. They love the university. They love the state of West Virginia. It’s their heart and their gratitude that is directly responsible for us to be in the position that we’re going to be in (Sunday).” Freshman DJ Thomas scored 20 points in the Mountaineers’ win over Creighton — his second most this season. Honor Huff leads West Virginia with 15.9 points per game, followed by Brenen Lorient’s 11.8. Nebraska followed up its CBC title last season by winning a school-record 28 games this season, including the first two NCAA Tournament victories in program history. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Oklahoma #West #Virginia #momentum #opportunity #Crown #championshipMar 13, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Porter Moser reacts to a called foul against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Imagesduring the first half

This time last year, Nebraska took home the inaugural College Basketball Crown trophy. The winner of Sunday’s championship game in Las Vegas between Oklahoma and West Virginia will hope to carry similar momentum into next season.

Oklahoma (21-15) endured a nine-game losing streak in the heart of Southeastern Conference play, ultimately dooming its NCAA Tournament chances before finishing as the first team left out of the 68-team field.

The Sooners face former Big 12 rival West Virginia on Sunday in the program’s first championship game since their 1991 NIT final loss to Stanford. For Oklahoma coach Porter Moser, the decision to accept the bid wasn’t a tough one, and so far, it’s paid off.

“I’m not going to lie, it was a very hard Selection Sunday,” Moser said. “The emotions were very raw, because of how much these guys battled through when no one else believed. We felt we should have been in (the tournament), but that’s for a later discussion. We could either talk about that, or we could show them why they made a mistake.”

After beating Colorado 90-86 in overtime on Wednesday in the quarterfinals, Oklahoma got 21 points from Xzayvier Brown in its 82-69 victory over Baylor on Saturday. Nijel Pack’s 16.6 points per game pace the Sooners, while Brown adds 15.5.


West Virginia (20-14) beat Creighton 87-70 in the semifinals on Saturday to earn its first 20-win season since the 2019-20 campaign. One more victory would give the Mountaineers their first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT.

First-year head coach Ross Hodge’s team flirted with the NCAA Tournament bubble all season. When that dream fell short, there were no doubts about heading to Las Vegas.

“There was no conversation that needed to be had about playing,” Hodge said. “These guys love each other. They love the university. They love the state of West Virginia. It’s their heart and their gratitude that is directly responsible for us to be in the position that we’re going to be in (Sunday).”

Freshman DJ Thomas scored 20 points in the Mountaineers’ win over Creighton — his second most this season. Honor Huff leads West Virginia with 15.9 points per game, followed by Brenen Lorient’s 11.8.

Nebraska followed up its CBC title last season by winning a school-record 28 games this season, including the first two NCAA Tournament victories in program history.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Oklahoma #West #Virginia #momentum #opportunity #Crown #championship">Deadspin | Oklahoma, West Virginia see momentum opportunity in Crown championship Mar 13, 2026; Nashville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Porter Moser reacts to a called foul against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Imagesduring the first half This time last year, Nebraska took home the inaugural College Basketball Crown trophy. The winner of Sunday’s championship game in Las Vegas between Oklahoma and West Virginia will hope to carry similar momentum into next season. Oklahoma (21-15) endured a nine-game losing streak in the heart of Southeastern Conference play, ultimately dooming its NCAA Tournament chances before finishing as the first team left out of the 68-team field. The Sooners face former Big 12 rival West Virginia on Sunday in the program’s first championship game since their 1991 NIT final loss to Stanford. For Oklahoma coach Porter Moser, the decision to accept the bid wasn’t a tough one, and so far, it’s paid off. “I’m not going to lie, it was a very hard Selection Sunday,” Moser said. “The emotions were very raw, because of how much these guys battled through when no one else believed. We felt we should have been in (the tournament), but that’s for a later discussion. We could either talk about that, or we could show them why they made a mistake.” After beating Colorado 90-86 in overtime on Wednesday in the quarterfinals, Oklahoma got 21 points from Xzayvier Brown in its 82-69 victory over Baylor on Saturday. Nijel Pack’s 16.6 points per game pace the Sooners, while Brown adds 15.5. West Virginia (20-14) beat Creighton 87-70 in the semifinals on Saturday to earn its first 20-win season since the 2019-20 campaign. One more victory would give the Mountaineers their first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT. First-year head coach Ross Hodge’s team flirted with the NCAA Tournament bubble all season. When that dream fell short, there were no doubts about heading to Las Vegas. “There was no conversation that needed to be had about playing,” Hodge said. “These guys love each other. They love the university. They love the state of West Virginia. It’s their heart and their gratitude that is directly responsible for us to be in the position that we’re going to be in (Sunday).” Freshman DJ Thomas scored 20 points in the Mountaineers’ win over Creighton — his second most this season. Honor Huff leads West Virginia with 15.9 points per game, followed by Brenen Lorient’s 11.8. Nebraska followed up its CBC title last season by winning a school-record 28 games this season, including the first two NCAA Tournament victories in program history. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Oklahoma #West #Virginia #momentum #opportunity #Crown #championship

Since 2024, the Indian Premier League has faced a shift in the batting approach of teams. From a rather conventional approach of saving wickets at the start of the innings and blasting off in the slog overs, the majority of the teams shifted to ultra-aggressive batting, which produced outrageous totals that made the 180s, 190s look like a cake-walk.

The contest between the Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders from the 2025 season broke every accord of the “new normal”, reminding the audience there is still scope for edge-of-the-seat low-scoring encounters.

Punjab and Kolkata have had their fair share of rivalry dating to the final of the 2014 season, where Piyush Chawla hit the winning runs for Kolkata, ending Punjab’s dream run to the final. Last season, Punjab climbed a mountain, breaking the tournament record by chasing down a daunting target of 262. Unbeknownst to Kings, there was another thriller in their next meeting with the Knight Riders.

The match started like any other, where Punjab opted to bat in its new home in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. Within three overs, PBKS raced to 39 with its openers providing an attacking start. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Then came the fourth over of Harshit Rana. First, Priyansh Arya found the fielder, falling for 22. Harshit, however, was not done yet. Shreyas Iyer, who was looking to pounce on a stray ball, found the man at deep backward square.

Punjab could never get back into the innings, losing wickets at regular intervals. KKR’s bowling lynchpins Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy finished with the figures of 2/14 and 2/21, respectively. Somehow, Punjab huffed and puffed to 111.

The chase began with KKR losing both Sunil Narine and Quinton De Kock in the same over, giving PBKS a ray of hope. That ray of hope, however, started to fade as Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi consolidated. In no time, KKR reached 62, well on track to haul down the target.

In walked the wily leggie Yuzvendra Chahal. Just when the wicket seemed to be behaving better compared to the first innings, Chahal started to spin a web around the KKR batting. He removed both Rahane and Raghuvanshi in quick succession as KKR inadvertently pressed the panic button. By the time Chahal ended his dream spell with the figures 4/28, he left KKR tottering with the scoreboard reading 95/8.

The collapse could be credited to the KKR batters being in two minds whether to save wickets or try to score the remaining runs quickly. When Marco Jansen finished the formalities, sending Andre Russell back, the night was done. The Kings managed to restrict KKR to 95, breaking the record for the lowest total ever defended in the 18-year-long history of the IPL.

The result sent shockwaves across the entire cricketing community. At a time when the 250s and 260s were termed as the par score, this match proved that there is still space for low-scoring thrillers, just when the impact of bowlers seemed to be fading off the game.

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#heist #Mullanpur #KKR #PBKS #clash #memories #seasons #humdinger #afresh">The heist of Mullanpur: KKR, PBKS clash with memories of last season’s humdinger still afresh Since 2024, the Indian Premier League has faced a shift in the batting approach of teams. From a rather conventional approach of saving wickets at the start of the innings and blasting off in the slog overs, the majority of the teams shifted to ultra-aggressive batting, which produced outrageous totals that made the 180s, 190s look like a cake-walk.The contest between the Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders from the 2025 season broke every accord of the “new normal”, reminding the audience there is still scope for edge-of-the-seat low-scoring encounters.Punjab and Kolkata have had their fair share of rivalry dating to the final of the 2014 season, where Piyush Chawla hit the winning runs for Kolkata, ending Punjab’s dream run to the final. Last season, Punjab climbed a mountain, breaking the tournament record by chasing down a daunting target of 262. Unbeknownst to Kings, there was another thriller in their next meeting with the Knight Riders.The match started like any other, where Punjab opted to bat in its new home in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. Within three overs, PBKS raced to 39 with its openers providing an attacking start. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Then came the fourth over of Harshit Rana. First, Priyansh Arya found the fielder, falling for 22. Harshit, however, was not done yet. Shreyas Iyer, who was looking to pounce on a stray ball, found the man at deep backward square.Punjab could never get back into the innings, losing wickets at regular intervals. KKR’s bowling lynchpins Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy finished with the figures of 2/14 and 2/21, respectively. Somehow, Punjab huffed and puffed to 111.The chase began with KKR losing both Sunil Narine and Quinton De Kock in the same over, giving PBKS a ray of hope. That ray of hope, however, started to fade as Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi consolidated. In no time, KKR reached 62, well on track to haul down the target.In walked the wily leggie Yuzvendra Chahal. Just when the wicket seemed to be behaving better compared to the first innings, Chahal started to spin a web around the KKR batting. He removed both Rahane and Raghuvanshi in quick succession as KKR inadvertently pressed the panic button. By the time Chahal ended his dream spell with the figures 4/28, he left KKR tottering with the scoreboard reading 95/8.𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎. 𝙄𝙎. 𝘾𝙄𝙉𝙀𝙈𝘼 🎬#PBKS have pulled off one of the greatest thrillers in #TATAIPL history 😮Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/sZtJIQpcbx#PBKSvKKR | @PunjabKingsIPLpic.twitter.com/vYY6rX8TdG— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 15, 2025The collapse could be credited to the KKR batters being in two minds whether to save wickets or try to score the remaining runs quickly. When Marco Jansen finished the formalities, sending Andre Russell back, the night was done. The Kings managed to restrict KKR to 95, breaking the record for the lowest total ever defended in the 18-year-long history of the IPL.The result sent shockwaves across the entire cricketing community. At a time when the 250s and 260s were termed as the par score, this match proved that there is still space for low-scoring thrillers, just when the impact of bowlers seemed to be fading off the game.Published on Apr 05, 2026 #heist #Mullanpur #KKR #PBKS #clash #memories #seasons #humdinger #afresh

The collapse could be credited to the KKR batters being in two minds whether to save wickets or try to score the remaining runs quickly. When Marco Jansen finished the formalities, sending Andre Russell back, the night was done. The Kings managed to restrict KKR to 95, breaking the record for the lowest total ever defended in the 18-year-long history of the IPL.

The result sent shockwaves across the entire cricketing community. At a time when the 250s and 260s were termed as the par score, this match proved that there is still space for low-scoring thrillers, just when the impact of bowlers seemed to be fading off the game.

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#heist #Mullanpur #KKR #PBKS #clash #memories #seasons #humdinger #afresh">The heist of Mullanpur: KKR, PBKS clash with memories of last season’s humdinger still afresh

Since 2024, the Indian Premier League has faced a shift in the batting approach of teams. From a rather conventional approach of saving wickets at the start of the innings and blasting off in the slog overs, the majority of the teams shifted to ultra-aggressive batting, which produced outrageous totals that made the 180s, 190s look like a cake-walk.

The contest between the Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders from the 2025 season broke every accord of the “new normal”, reminding the audience there is still scope for edge-of-the-seat low-scoring encounters.

Punjab and Kolkata have had their fair share of rivalry dating to the final of the 2014 season, where Piyush Chawla hit the winning runs for Kolkata, ending Punjab’s dream run to the final. Last season, Punjab climbed a mountain, breaking the tournament record by chasing down a daunting target of 262. Unbeknownst to Kings, there was another thriller in their next meeting with the Knight Riders.

The match started like any other, where Punjab opted to bat in its new home in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. Within three overs, PBKS raced to 39 with its openers providing an attacking start. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Then came the fourth over of Harshit Rana. First, Priyansh Arya found the fielder, falling for 22. Harshit, however, was not done yet. Shreyas Iyer, who was looking to pounce on a stray ball, found the man at deep backward square.

Punjab could never get back into the innings, losing wickets at regular intervals. KKR’s bowling lynchpins Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy finished with the figures of 2/14 and 2/21, respectively. Somehow, Punjab huffed and puffed to 111.

The chase began with KKR losing both Sunil Narine and Quinton De Kock in the same over, giving PBKS a ray of hope. That ray of hope, however, started to fade as Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi consolidated. In no time, KKR reached 62, well on track to haul down the target.

In walked the wily leggie Yuzvendra Chahal. Just when the wicket seemed to be behaving better compared to the first innings, Chahal started to spin a web around the KKR batting. He removed both Rahane and Raghuvanshi in quick succession as KKR inadvertently pressed the panic button. By the time Chahal ended his dream spell with the figures 4/28, he left KKR tottering with the scoreboard reading 95/8.

The collapse could be credited to the KKR batters being in two minds whether to save wickets or try to score the remaining runs quickly. When Marco Jansen finished the formalities, sending Andre Russell back, the night was done. The Kings managed to restrict KKR to 95, breaking the record for the lowest total ever defended in the 18-year-long history of the IPL.

The result sent shockwaves across the entire cricketing community. At a time when the 250s and 260s were termed as the par score, this match proved that there is still space for low-scoring thrillers, just when the impact of bowlers seemed to be fading off the game.

Published on Apr 05, 2026

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