PBKS knock CSK out of playoffs contention

Chennai Super Kings became the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2025 after their eighth loss in ten games. Despite reaching 190 after being put in to bat, CSK were unable to secure a win. Punjab Kings jumped to second spot in the points table thanks to the victory.

What made the difference?

The 72-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh was crucial for Punjab Kings to navigate through the middle overs. Their boundary-hitting against anything CSK had on offer proved to be the difference.

Powerplay – CSK rocked early

Phase Score: 48/3 (RR: 8.00; 4s/6s: 7/1)

On a sticky surface, strokeplay was difficult. CSK's young openers struggled against Punjab's seamers who bowled in the right areas. Ravindra Jadeja's promotion seemed to pay dividends initially, but he was dismissed by Harpreet Brar, leaving CSK precariously poised at the end of the PowerPlay.

Middle Overs – Curran, Brevis lift CSK

Phase Score: 86/1 (RR: 9.55 ; 4s/6s: 8/3)

An energetic partnership between Sam Curran and Dewald Brevis gave CSK a welcome twist. They added 78 runs for the fourth wicket, largely guiding CSK through the middle-overs challenge. They counter-attacked against Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal, who was hit for 23 in his first couple of overs. Only when Omarzai dismissed Brevis did PBKS get some respite. Curran brought up his fifty and switched gears, setting CSK up for a strong finish.

Death Overs – A hat-trick amidst a frenzied finish

Phase Score: 56/6 (RR: 13.33; 4s/6s: 4/4)

Yuzvendra Chahal took his second IPL hat-trick in the penultimate over, dismissing MS Dhoni after being hit for a six. This dented CSK's spirited finish. Curran had started the over hitting 26 off the 16th over bowled by Suryansh Shedge, but fell softly nicking behind against Jansen. His 47-ball 88 had given CSK a strong total.

Powerplay – PBKS put on course courtesy the openers

Phase Score: 51/1 (RR:8.5 ; 4s/6s: 8/1)

Punjab's openers continued their attacking approach. Priyansh Arya edged a boundary in the first over and continued to slog, earning another boundary. Arya was the dominant partner in the 44-run opening stand. He was dismissed trying to pull a sharp, short ball, but PBKS had kept abreast of the asking rate.

Middle Overs – Iyer, Prabhsimran put PBKS on a roll

Phase Score: 88/1 (RR: 9.77; 4s/6s: 7/5)

CSK's spinners were expected to exert pressure, but dew made it easier for PBKS. Prabhsimran and Shreyas Iyer were smart in picking their spots for boundaries. Prabhsimran reached a 32-ball fifty but was dropped by Pathirana off Noor. He holed out in the same over, ending the 72-run stand. Iyer seized the moment, hitting Curran for 15 in the following over and bringing up his own fifty.

Death Overs – PBKS coast up and down before getting over the finishing line

Phase Score: – 55/3 (RR: 12.70; 4s/6s: 4/4 )

With 52 needed in the final five overs, PBKS needed a few good hits. Shashank Singh hit a crucial six off Noor. Iyer hit two sixes and a four off Pathirana in the 17th over, tilting the chase in PBKS' favour. Shashank chipped in with useful boundaries before being caught in the deep. Iyer fell three short of the target, dragging the game into the final over where they scrambled over the line with two balls to spare.

Brief Scores: CSK 190 all out (Sam Curran 88; Yuzvendra Chahal 4-32) lost to Punjab Kings 194/6 (Shreyas Iyer 72, Prabhsimran Singh 54) by four wickets

In a couple of days, Chennai will travel to Bengaluru to take on RCB on May 03 while Punjab Kings go up to Dharamsala to host Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, May 04.