By Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar’s outstanding bowling performance led Punjab Kings to victory over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk. Chahar and Brar claimed four wickets between them without conceding a single boundary, restricting CSK to 162/7. The win, Punjab Kings’ fifth consecutive victory against CSK, kept them in contention for a playoff spot despite a slow start to the season.
PBKS’ spin duo outshone CSK’s spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali, particularly during the middle overs, where CSK failed to find a single boundary. Brar and Chahar bowled exceptionally well, maintaining pressure on CSK’s batsmen and taking crucial wickets.
CSK started slowly in the PowerPlay, scoring 55/0 with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane cautious against Punjab’s bowlers. However, they accelerated in the middle overs, thanks to some aggressive strokeplay from Rahane.
Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar stymie CSK’s advances
In response, PBKS made a strong start, reaching 52/1 in the PowerPlay. They capitalized on CSK’s injury woes, with Deepak Chahar leaving the field early due to a hamstring injury. Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw played crucial knocks to guide PBKS to victory with ease, finishing the chase with 13 balls to spare.
The victory at Chepauk showcased PBKS’s strong spin bowling and ability to adapt to challenging conditions. Brar and Chahar’s disciplined bowling, coupled with smart field placements and strategic bowling changes, kept CSK’s batsmen under constant pressure. Their performance highlighted the importance of spin bowling in T20 cricket, especially on slow, turning tracks like Chepauk.
On the other hand, CSK’s loss exposed their overreliance on a few key players and their vulnerability in defending modest totals. Despite a strong start by Gaikwad and Rahane, CSK’s middle-order collapse against PBKS’s spinners proved costly. The defeat also highlighted the need for CSK to reassess their strategies, particularly in terms of team selection and batting approach, as they look to secure a playoff spot in the remainder of the season.
The two teams will meet again in Dharamsala on May 5 for their next encounter.
