Final result
Punjab Kings won by 8 wickets
Player of the match: JM Bairstow
Result · Indian Premier League
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings
Result · Indian Premier League
H2H · KKR 21–13 PBKSVenue par · 186Chase success · 53%POTM · JM Bairstow
Match preview & overview
Punjab Kings overhaul 261 at Eden Gardens to stun Kolkata Knight Riders
Punjab Kings chased down 262 at Eden Gardens on 26 April 2024 to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets in one of the IPL season's most remarkable results. Kolkata had posted 261 for 6, a total that at any other venue on most other nights would be unassailable. Punjab lost just 2 wickets across the full 20 overs, finishing on 262 for 2. Jonny Bairstow was named Player of the Match. The result defied both the ground's historical averages and Punjab's poor recent form, which had seen them lose four of their previous five fixtures.
Kolkata's innings was built on an outstanding start. Their powerplay produced 76 runs without loss, well above the Eden Gardens powerplay average of 44. The middle overs added another 114 for 2 wickets, before the death produced 71 more at the cost of 4. A total of 261 for 6 looked competitive in almost any context. Punjab's reply made it look ordinary.
Punjab's chase was controlled from the first ball. They posted 93 runs for 1 wicket in the powerplay, the highest powerplay score of the match and a figure that set the tone immediately. The middle overs brought 108 more runs for just 1 wicket, and even at the death, with the match won, Punjab scored 61 without losing another batter. Across 36 previous meetings in this fixture, very little had resembled this.
Pitch report & venue insights
Eden Gardens, Kolkata — 171-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2004–2026. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
171
T20 matches hosted
186
Avg 1st-innings score
170
Avg 2nd-innings score
53%
Chase success rate
44
Avg powerplay runs
60%
Toss-field rate
Head-to-head record
Kolkata Knight Riders lead the series 21–13 from 36 completed matches
Seasons 2007–2026
Series standing
Kolkata Knight Riders
Punjab Kings36
Total meetings
2
No results
10
In last 10
Recent encounters
Last 102026No result
2025No result
2025PBKS won by 16 runs
2024PBKS won by 8 wickets
2023KKR won by 5 wickets
2023PBKS won by 7 runs
2022KKR won by 6 wickets
2021PBKS won by 5 wickets
2021KKR won by 5 wickets
2020PBKS won by 8 wickets
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Punjab Kings chase 262 with 8 wickets to spare
Chasing 262 at Eden Gardens is extraordinary by any measure. Punjab Kings got there with 8 wickets in hand, losing only 2 batters across the full 20 overs. Their powerplay alone produced 93 runs for 1 wicket, setting a tempo Kolkata could never reverse.
Angle 02
Kolkata's 261/6 wasn't enough on this occasion
Angle 03
Bairstow named Player of the Match
Angle 04
Punjab bucks its own recent form
Angle 05
Eden Gardens chase rate exceeded dramatically
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may reflect disproportionate value in high-scoring games at Eden Gardens, where the average first-innings score of 186 across 171 matches can be exceeded dramatically as this fixture showed.
- The venue's 53 per cent historical chase success rate suggests outright result markets are genuinely competitive here, making team-specific batting line markets potentially more informative than match winner lines.
- Punjab Kings' 93-run powerplay suggests opening partnership and powerplay run markets could be relevant angles when they bat first or in favourable conditions.
- Player of the Match markets in matches involving these two sides at Eden Gardens may be skewed towards top-order batters given the consistently high scoring environment the ground produces.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings
Who won the KKR vs Punjab Kings IPL match on 26 April 2024?
Punjab Kings won the match, chasing down Kolkata Knight Riders' total of 261 for 6 with 8 wickets to spare. Punjab finished on 262 for 2, completing one of the highest successful chases in Eden Gardens history.
Who was Player of the Match in KKR vs Punjab Kings on 26 April 2024?
Jonny Bairstow was named Player of the Match for his contribution to Punjab Kings' chase. He played a central role in an innings that produced 93 runs in the powerplay alone.
What was the head-to-head record between KKR and Punjab Kings going into this match?
Kolkata Knight Riders led the all-time head-to-head with 21 wins from 36 meetings, compared to Punjab Kings' 13 wins and 2 no results. KKR's historical advantage at Eden Gardens in particular had been a consistent feature of the rivalry.
Where was the KKR vs Punjab Kings IPL 2024 match played?
The match was played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India on 26 April 2024. Eden Gardens has hosted 171 T20 matches and carries an average first-innings score of 186, a figure Punjab Kings surpassed significantly in their chase.
Where can I watch IPL matches in the UK?
IPL matches are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming available via Sky Go and NOW TV for those without a full Sky subscription. Check the Sky Sports schedule for specific match times, which are typically shown from early afternoon or evening UK time depending on the start time in India.
How did Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings perform in the powerplay?
Both sides produced exceptional powerplay performances. Kolkata Knight Riders scored 76 runs for no wicket in their powerplay, well above the Eden Gardens average of 44. Punjab Kings went even further, posting 93 runs for 1 wicket in their powerplay chase, immediately putting the match beyond KKR's reach.
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Photo credits (4)
- Jonny Bairstow — photo by Mcadge, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Mohammed Shami — photo by NAPARAZZI, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Harbhajan Singh — photo by Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0 · source
- Ishant Sharma — photo by Blnguyen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source