PBKS kept their playoff hopes alive with a complete team performance in a crucial 7-wicket win over CSK at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday, May 1. Punjab spinners Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar were instrumental in the victory, taking two wickets each. The duo choked the CSK batting lineup, dismissing 4 batters while conceding just 33 runs in 8 overs. Their tight bowling restricted CSK’s scoring and enabled PBKS to achieve the crucial away win they needed to stay in playoff contention.
Punjab Kings have dominated Chennai Super Kings in recent seasons, defeating them in five consecutive IPL matches. The only other team to achieve such a winning streak over CSK was Mumbai Indians. Between 2018-2019, MI won five straight games against MS Dhoni led CSK. Punjab’s current run of victories began on October 7, 2021 and highlights their mastery over the Chennai-based franchise.
After winning the toss PBKS sent CSK to bat. The home team got off to a strong start, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane putting on 55 runs in the powerplay. However, PBKS bowlers fought back as Harpreet Brar took two quick wickets, dismissing Rahane and then trapping Shivam Dube lbw for a golden duck. Rahul Chahar continued the resurgence by removing Ravindra Jadeja, leaving CSK in trouble after their promising start.
In the second innings, CSK bowler Richard Gleeson dismissed Prabhsimran Singh in the 4th over, giving the PBKS batting unit a scare. Then, it was Rilee Rossouw and Jonny Bairstow who steadied the ship for the visitors. The duo put a solid partnership of 64 runs in 37 balls and put the Punjab-side in a dominant position in the chase. In-form batter Shashank Singh played a patient knock of 25 while stand-in captain Sam Curran’s 26 runs off 20 balls steered the victory for PBKS.
Coming off from the historic 262-run chase against KKR, PBKS maintain their momentum and keep their playoff hopes alive.
