Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by four wickets. Chasing 190 runs, Shreyas Iyer 72(41) and Prabhsimran 54(36) chipped in with valuable contributions. With the result, CSK has become the first side to get out of the 2025 IPL.Earlier, Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl first. Sam Curran scored 88 to help Chennai get 190. However, at a stage it looked like Chennai would get a lot more, but Yuzvendra Chahal with his hat-trick turned the game around.
With the result, Punjab Kings go to the second spot with 13 points, and the Chennai Super Kings are at the 10th spot.
Shreyas Iyer, Player of the Match said, Love chasing on any field and I feel I thrive when there is a big total on the board and you need to take the charge and build the momentum for the next batters. Try to play on my instincts and back myself. (On his away form) I don’t want to curse it at the moment, I’m enjoying as much as possible, trying stay in the present and just reacting to the ball. Once I get to know if there is a big total, does not matter home or away, I keep the same approach, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I know if I stay out there, I can chase down any target. Lately I have been batting a lot in the nets and facing the quick bowlers with the new-ball, I know the ball will skid on and come at a great pace. It has given me immense confidence.
This is one part which I have really worked on. The attitude I keep is high all the time whenever I enter the field. These four boxes I tick and you see the reflection on the field. (On the humidity) More than the batting, the fielding was difficult as I was running from long-on to long-on. The over-rate also we had to maintain and I had to think in the nick of time. The humidity factor also, probably a lot more to any other field I have played on. We had a chat in between when Ricky came in and told we don’t have to leave it till the last, we have to up the ante as they have a few amazing death bowlers in Pathirana, Khaleel and they have immense experience in their squad, the approach is to take on the bowlers and basically back ourselves. When I got in, I need to play a few balls and see how thew wicket is playing. I played 10 balls and decided it’s time to take on the bowlers. Prabh and Priyansh, the starts they are giving, they have been fabulous in their approach and it is not that they are slogging. They are playing amazing cricket and hopefully they continue with that same momentum. (On if he is looking at the points table or just letting it happen) Just letting it happen, he said.
Dhoni said: I think the batting – yes, it was the first time we put enough runs on the board. But was it a par score? I feel slightly short. Yes, a bit demanding from the batters but I feel we could’ve got slightly more. I feel we need to take our catches. The partnership between Brevis and Sam was excellent. We didn’t play the last four deliveries, and the second last over four batters got out. In close games, those 7 deliveries mean a lot. Well he’s a fighter (Curran). That’s something we all know. Whenever he turns up he wants to contribute. Unfortunately so far, whenever we tried to give him a chance, the wicket was on the slower side and he found it slightly difficult. But today’s wicket was one of the best we’ve got at home in this tournament. That’s the reason I felt we needed another 15 runs. It’s the momentum in the middle order (Brevis offers). He’s also a very good fielder, he has power and he can hit good balls for boundaries. And he brings good energy. Happy with the way he’s playing. He can be an asset going ahead.