The MA Chidambaram Stadium crowd thoroughly enjoyed a rollercoaster ride on Friday night as Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings displayed some quality hitting in both innings of the contest. The clash of the ‘Kings’ was thrilling as neither side was willing to cede even an inch of ground. But, in the end, it is Punjab Kings who pulled off a heroic win against CSK in Chennai.
The match was full of events and moments that ultimately decided the direction of the momentum. From the end of Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dubey and PBKS, the impact brought by Priyansh Arya, the run out of Prabhsimran Singh, the leadership of Shreyas Iyer – these are all exciting turns in the contest.
A rollercoaster ride at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday
Chennai Super Kings came to bat first after losing the toss in the first innings of the match. Sanju Samson once again disappointed his fans and scored only runs. PBKS got initial success.
The joy for the team was short-lived as CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre pulled the team out of the mud and stitched a much-needed partnership. From the middle-order, it was Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dubey who performed brilliantly with their batting, especially Sarfaraz with his delicate touch using flexible wrists.
Chasing the target of 210, PBKS got off to a good start. Impressive player Priyansh Arya scored 39 runs in 11 balls. Prabhasimran scored 36 runs while Cooper Connolly, who came as the number 3 batsman in today’s match, scored 36 runs.
Another captain innings of Shreyas Iyer
If Arya’s explosive cameo was the beginning of PBKS’s batting part, captain Shreyas Iyer came up with the cherry on top to boost the team’s effort. Iyer’s half-century ensured Punjab’s victory. Two wins in two matches for Punjab Kings and two losses in two matches for Chennai Super Kings.
PBKS completed the run chase in 18.4 overs with 5 more wickets in hand. Shreyas Iyer and his team claimed victory on the basis of pure team effort. Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, performed well with their bat, but their bowling may lack quality.
Priyansh and Prab are working – Shreyas Iyer
“I think it was an extraordinary start for us. Priyansh and Prab were working early and then coming in and preparing the bench for us. And I personally think the way they have been batting over the years, it is phenomenal to see them giving us those starts and it settles the momentum for us. Yes, absolutely. I am happy that everyone is getting a chance to bat in the first two games itself,” Shreyas Iyer said at the presentation ceremony.
“It also gives the team a lot of confidence. So that, you know, whenever we get into a pressure situation, guys know how to handle it.”
He said, “We have decided in the dressing room that no matter what happens, we will play a kind of cricket which is to impress each other and not to impress people outside. So, you know, it gives us a certain kind of clarity when we think about the game.”
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