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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had already qualified for the playoffs but there was a little ray of hope for Punjab Kings (PBKS) to qualify with a big win followed by results of other matches. On a sunny afternoon, PBKS captain KL Rahul won the toss and invited CSK to bat first. CSK batting couldn’t do much in front of Punjab bowlers and could only manage 134 runs for thr loss of six wickets.
Punjab batters Rahul and Mayank started attacking the CSK bowlers right from the start in an attempt to finish the run chase quickly and improve their net run rate. Both the batters got the run chase off to to flier with a partnership of 46 runs in 4.3 overs. But Mayank couldn’t last long and fell for 12 runs. Playing his second game of the UAE leg, Sarfaraz Khan was promoted to number three but got out for a duck. Rahul, on the other hand, took the charge and hit CSK bowlers all over the park with a 98-run knock to help PBKS secure a win by six wickets.
Captain fantastic Rahul
Rahul continued his brilliant form and scored 98 runs off 42 balls. He smashed the Chennai bowlers left and right with all the shots in his book. He scored with a mind-boggling strike rate of 233.33. His whirlwind inning included seven fours and eight sixes.
Du Plessis saves the sinking boat
Chennai didn’t start their innings well as their two openers Ruturaj Gaikwad fell after scoring 12 runs to pacer Arshdeep Singh. Moeen Ali didn't trouble the scorers and bagged a six-ball duck. CSK lost two of their batsmen within the powerplay overs with only managing 29 runs on the board. Playing just his second match for CSK, Robin Uthappa too fell quickly after adding just 2 runs to the score. The rebuilding task was on Du Plessis and last match's batting hero Ambati Rayudu but the latter Rayudu got out for a single-digit score. MS Dhoni tried to show some intent by hitting two boundaries but his stay at the crease once again cut-short by a spinner. Ravi Bishnoi continued his good run and dismissed Dhoni reducing CSK for 61/5. Ravindra Jadeja and Du Plessis stabilized the innings. The Proteas batter played a fabulous inning of 76 runs while Jadeja contributed 15 runs to the partnership. The sixth-wicket partnership helped CSK post 134 for a loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.
Hat-trick of defeats
Though Chennai was the first side to qualify for the playoffs, they have suffered a hattrick of losses in their last three league games. Their net run rate took a massive hit too giving Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) a slim chance to enter the top two if they win big against table-toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) in their last game at the league stage.
