Punjab Kings’ record-breaking chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders has left captain Sam Curran questioning the nature of cricket. The match witnessed an unprecedented display of batting prowess, with 42 sixes hit, the most in a T20 match.
Curran attributed the batting explosion to improved training methods, increased confidence, and the influence of small grounds and dew. He emphasized the importance of winning small moments and acknowledged the impact of Jonny Bairstow’s return to form. Bairstow, who had been dropped from the team, smashed an unbeaten 108 off 48 balls, while Shashank Singh contributed an unbeaten 68 off 28 balls.
Curran praised Bairstow’s determination and Shashank’s emergence as a key player. He also highlighted the team’s resilience after a tough few weeks.
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer expressed disappointment at his team’s inability to defend their total. He called for introspection and emphasized the need to improve their bowling.
The match has raised questions about the future of cricket, with Curran suggesting that it may be evolving into a more baseball-like sport. The relentless pursuit of sixes and the diminishing importance of traditional statistics have become defining characteristics of the modern game.
