"Cricket 07 far better than IPL 2024" - Twitter goes crazy as PBKS register highest successful run chase in T20 history

Twitter was flooded with reactions as Punjab Kings registered the highest successful run chase in the history of T20 cricket during the 2024 IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders. PBKS chased down the target of 262 runs quite comfortably in 18.4 overs at the iconic Eden Gardens on Friday, April 26.

Punjab's stand-in skipper Sam Curran won the toss and opted to bowl first. After being put into bat, KKR openers Phil Salt and Sunil Narine gave the hosts a cracking start, adding 138 runs for the first wicket partnership in 10.2 overs.

With the duo laying a perfect foundation for the middle order to take over, the two-time IPL winners posted 261-6 at the end of 20 overs. In addition to Salt and Narine's half-centuries, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell and captain Shreyas Iyer also contributed useful runs with the bat.

Here's a look at some noteworthy reactions on Twitter following the Punjab Kings' record-breaking victory at the Eden Gardens on Friday evening:

"Should they start using a bowling machine instead of bowlers for t20 or at least in IPL?" a fan wrote

"Cricket 2007 is far better than IPL 2024," another fan expressed

"No! please no! This is too one sided in favor of the batsmen! Please try to bring some balance back to the game!" one fan boldly proclaimed

"Boring and predictable! Next innovation in IPL should be a) 15 metre boundaries b) all 11 batsmen and c) use bowling machines," another fan vented

"Could not believe what I was watching! Truly unbelievable Punjab," a fan commented

"T20 match is no longer game of bowling," wrote a fan

Bairstow and Shashank pull off a miracle for Punjab

Chasing a mammoth 262 runs, the Punjab Kings lost opener Prabhsimran Singh (54 runs off 20 balls) in the last ball of the sixth over. What followed was absolute carnage by Jonny Bairstow and Shashank Singh who smashed the hapless Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers all over Eden Gardens.

Both remained unbeaten towards the end, making the daunting task look easy and thereby ensuring that the visitors achieved the unimaginable feat. While the Englishman amassed 108* off just 48 balls which included eight fours and nine sixes, the 32-year-old Indian batting all-rounder, who has had a dream IPL season so far, hit two fours and eight sixes en route to his 28-ball 68* knock.

The epic game also made its way into the history books for witnessing the most number of sixes being hit in a Men's T20 match. With this win, Punjab Kings are currently placed eighth in the points table with six points from nine matches.