Punjab Kings (PBKS) kept their hopes of reaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs alive with an easy seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK). PBKS spinners Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar took two wickets each to restrict CSK to 162/7 which was easily chased down by the visitors. This was PBKS’ fourth win of the tournament from 10 games. Despite the loss, CSK maintained their fourth position on the table.
Dube's golden duck
Earlier, Curran won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kagiso Rabada started with an economical over. Arshdeep Singh took a beating as he was hit for fours by CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane. In the sixth over, Rahane hit Curran for three fours in an over. CSK were 55 for no loss after powerplay overs. Brar in his second over struck twice. First Rahane got caught at deep mid-wicket. He scored 29 runs from 24 balls. Then Shivam Dube registered his first golden duck of the season as he got out lbw. Rahul in the next over trapped Ravindra Jadeja in front of the stumps. CSK were 71 for three wickets at halfway stage.
Dhoni kept relatively quiet
Sameer Rizvi walked out to bat as impact player but he struggled to hit boundaries. No boundaries were scored in the middle overs. Rabada came back into the attack and ended Rizvi's stay at the crease. he scored 21 runs from 23 balls. Gaikwad took on Curran and hit him for two sixes and a four. Moeen Ali contributed with a cameo. Gaikwad got bowled for a 48-ball 62. In the penultimate over, Rahul kept Dhoni quiet and dismissed Ali. In the penultimate over, Dhoni hit a four and a six before getting run out last ball. His 11-ball 14 took CSK to 162/7.
Fiery start
In the run chase, CSK suffered a huge blow as he went off the field after pulling out of the run-up. Shardul Thakur completed his over. Prabhsimran Singh hit him for a six. Richard Gleeson on his debut got the wicket of Prabhsimran. He scored 13 runs from 10 balls. Rilee Rossouw started with two consecutive fours. Rossouw and Jonny Bairstow hit boundaries in powerplay overs. PBKS were 52/1 after six overs. Bairstow hit his first six of the innings off Ali in the eighth over. Shivam Dube bowled his first over of the season and got Bairstow's wicket with the second ball. Bairstow lost his wicket trying to play an upper cut. He scored 46 runs from 30 balls. Rossouw targetted Dube and hit him for a six and a four. PBKS were 96/2 at the halfway stage.
Curran, Shashank finish it off
Thakur came back into the attack and dismissed Rossouw with a slower one. He scored 43 runs from 23 balls including five fours and a couple of sixes. In Thakur's next over, Shashank Singh's catch was dropped by Mitchell. Curran took the attack to Thakur and hit a couple of fours. Mustafizur followed it up with a rare maiden over. Shashank and Curran ensured there is no anti-climax and chased down the target with 13 balls to spare. Shashank scored 25 runs from 26 deliveries whereas Curran contributed with a 20-ball 26.
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