Chennai Super Kings has scored a total of 190 runs, with contributions from Curran (88), Brevis (32), and Chahal taking 4 wickets for Punjab Kings.
Thanks to Sam Curran’s impressive 88 off just 47 balls, Chennai Super Kings were well on their way to achieving a score of over 200 for the second time in IPL 2025, making it their first time at home. However, Yuzvendra Chahal’s impressive performance in the 19th over resulted in the early end of their innings, with him taking four wickets including a hat-trick.
The match was left in an intriguing state as the MA Chidambaram Stadium’s black-soil pitch appeared to have two different speeds during CSK’s innings. This could make PBKS’ pursuit of 191 runs a challenging one. However, CSK had the potential to score even more runs and PBKS boasts a strong batting lineup.
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The conclusion of CSK’s batting was quite remarkable. Up until the 19th over, PBKS had only used Chahal for two overs and had been hesitant to utilize him or the left-arm orthodox Harpreet Brar against CSK’s left-handed batsmen. However, with the arrival of spin-averse MS Dhoni at the crease, Shreyas Iyer decided to give his leg-spinner a chance.
After a spectacular six on his first legal ball, Dhoni unfortunately lost his wicket on the next one. The following plays were just as eventful, with Chahal claiming three consecutive wickets off his remaining overs against Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmad.
Despite being CSK’s most skilled spin-hitter, Shivam Dube found himself stranded at the non-striker’s end. He may have regretted taking a second run off the first ball that Hooda faced instead of facing Chahal. Although he managed to score four runs with an inside edge in the final over, Dube was dismissed on the next ball, resulting in CSK losing five wickets for just six runs within seven deliveries.
Prior to that moment of reckless play, CSK may have been considerably more satisfied. Despite losing their first two batters, Curran had persevered through the unpredictable pitch and exhausting heat to deliver a noteworthy performance. His 47-ball knock consisted of nine boundaries, four of which were sixes, and only ten dot balls.
The pivotal moment of his innings occurred in the 16th over. Iyer made the strategic decision to let Suryansh Shedge, who had only given up 14 runs in his first two overs, bowl for a third time instead of risking Chahal or Brar against the left-handed batters. But Curran took advantage of Shedge’s mistakes and scored 26 runs off him, including two sixes and two fours.
Shedge being tasked with bowling that over can also be attributed to PBKS’s loss of Glenn Maxwell, who may be out for the remainder of the season due to a broken finger. While he has struggled with his batting in the IPL, Maxwell’s offspin has been a valuable contribution for PBKS, especially against CSK’s left-handed players.
