“Save The Bowlers”: R Ashwin Sends SOS On Behalf Of All As PBKS Chase Down Record 262 vs KKR

The IPL 2024 witnessed something extraordinary on Friday. Something which has never happened in the history of cricket. For the first time ever, a team chased down a 260-plus total in the T20 format. And it was achieved by an Indian Premier League team – Punjab Kings. Chasing a 262-run total, hardly anybody would have given a chance to PBKS but then their batter had some other idea. Jonny Bairstow (108*), Prabhsimran Singh (54), Shashank SIngh (68*) contributed in equal measures as PBKS achieved the world record.

Highest targets successfully chased in Men’s T20 cricket
262 – Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Kolkata, IPL 2024
259 – South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
253 – Middlesex vs Surrey, The Oval, T20 Blast 2023

Highest targets successfully chased in the IPL
262 – PBKS vs KKR, Kolkata, 2024
224 – RR vs PBKS, Sharjah, 2020

The successful chase also raised a very pertinent question. Is the game only for the batters?

Former Punjab Kings captain and spin great R Ashwin, raised a please for the bowlers mid-match. “Save the bowlers” someone plsss SOS SOS SOS #KKRvsPBKS #IPL2024,” he posted on X.

“Save the bowlers” someone plsss
#KKRvsPBKS #IPL2024

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) April 26, 2024

“It’s run a ball for the last 2 overs of a T 20 game in a chase of 260 +. Let that sink in. #IPL2024 #KKRvsPBKS.”

It’s run a ball for the last 2 overs of a T 20 game in a chase of 260 +.

Let that sink in. #IPL2024 #KKRvsPBKS

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) April 26, 2024

“How do you define a game like this?? ‘Historic’ is the only way to describe this, I guess. 262 successfully chased with 8 balls and 8 wickets to spare. What else is possible???” wrote former India player Aakash Chopra on X.

“Batters have unlocked their true potential…over to the bowlers to do what they do better than batters…that’s adapting and evolving. #IPL #KKRvPBKS”

How do you define a game like this??
‘Historic’ is the only way to describe this, I guess.

262 successfully chased with 8 balls and 8 wickets to spare. What else is possible???

Batters have unlocked their true potential…over to the bowlers to do what they do better than…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 26, 2024

“Cricket has changed. Mind set of batsmen has changed,” wrote Irfan Pathan.