Punjab Kings. (Source -IPL/BCCI)
Chennai Super Kings could only score 162 runs from their 20 overs as the Punjab Kings bowlers did well to restrict the home team. Ruturaj Gaikwad was the top scorer for his side with yet another well-compiled half-century knock.
The introduction of spin duo Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar did the trick for the Punjab side. For over eight overs the home team couldn’t hit a boundary before opening their arms in the last few overs of the game.
Punjab Kings: 50 runs off 5.5 overs
Despite the early loss of Prabhsimran Singh, the hero of the last game Jonny Bairstow got stuck into the PBKS bowlers. The English batter hit a few boundaries to put pressure on the CSK bowlers.
Powerplay: Overs 0.1 to 6 Mandatory – 52/1)
Deepak Chahar got injured after just bowling two balls in the first over. Richard Gleeson who was playing his first IPL game then got Prabhsimran for 13. The pair of Rilee Rossouw and Jonny Bairstow made sure PBKS didn’t lose more wickets in the first six overs.
Punjab Kings: First Strategic time-out (73/1 from 8 overs)
Chennai Super Kings struggled to get rid of the Punjab Kings pair of Bairstow and Rossouw. Jonny Bairstow in particular was severe as he smashed boundaries at will to keep PBKS in the hunt.
Punjab Kings: 100 runs from 11.1 overs
Shivam Dube bowling for the first time this season got the big wicket of Jonny Bairstow for 46. That didn’t stop Rilee Rossouw who continued to pile on the pressure with his effortless hitting.
Punjab Kings: Second Strategic time-out (146/3 from 16 overs)
The Punjab Kings batter made sure they didn’t give CSK bowlers a sniff of the game. Shardul Thakur’s wicket of Rilee Rossouw was the only highlight on a disappointing night for CSK.
Punjab Kings: 150 runs from 16.4 overs
With the win nearly secured the Punjab Kings batters played risk-free cricket to deny any final hopes of a comeback to the CSK bowlers. Shashank Singh and Sam Curran made sure to keep the scoreboard ticking with some smart cricket.
End of the Match: Punjab Kings: 163/3 from 17.5 overs
Punjab Kings coasted to an easy win and won their fourth game of the tournament. This was their second win in succession after their massive chase versus KKR a few days ago. Chennai on the other hand will see the alarm bells start ringing after yet another loss at home.