At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by a score of seven wickets. The bowlers for PBKS performed admirably, limiting a potent CSK batting lineup to 162. Their batsmen confidently led the charge in return. In the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, PBKS has won four times. Gaining confidence from their recent exploits in Kolkata, when they achieved the most successful run-chase in Twenty20 history, PBKS won the toss and elected to field first. After the addition of Richard Gleeson, CSK made a few adjustments. Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana were absent from their roster. PBKS remained unaltered. With a strong opening partnership between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane, CSK’s innings got off to a fantastic start.
They were cautious at first and took their time getting used to the occasional boundary. In the second over, Gaikwad scored his 50th four of the TATA IPL 2024 as he hit one over the slips and towards third man. CSK batted steadily, rotating strike, but Sam Curran’s bowling in the last over was when the powerplay really got going. Leg-byes were the first of the powerplay’s four balls that were for fours. Rahane smashed it between mid-wicket and off-side on the final three balls to get those fours, displaying a great deal of class. A strong start saw CSK finish the powerplay at 55 with no loss.