Punjab Kings 187 for 4 (Shikhar Dhawan 88*) beat Chennai Super Kings 176 for 6 (Rayudu 78) by 11 runs
Punjab Kings completed the double over their counterparts from Chennai, closing out a tight game for a fourth win that moves them back to within touching distance of the top four. Shikhar Dhawan scored a stately, unbeaten 88 from 59 balls to anchor Kings’ rethought approach to setting a target, and although Ambati Rayudu kept CSK in the hunt until the closing overs, his 39-ball 78 was not enough to avert a sixth defeat from eight games.
On the same pitch that Lucknow Super Giants had successfully defended 168 against Mumbai Indians the previous evening, Kings’ total of 187 for 4 always looked too much of an ask. Each of the three previous results at the Wankhede had gone the way of the team batting first, and although Ravindra Jadeja and Super Kings’ preference was to chase, a lack of contributions at the top of the order again undermined their chances.
CSK had looked to be heading for a much heavier defeat, only for Rayudu’s innings, which included 13 boundaries, to repeatedly jangle the nerves of Mayank Agarwal and his men. Sandeep Sharma was collared for 23 in the 15th over, and with MS Dhoni waiting in the wings, and coming off the back of a vintage display of finishing in his previous outing, CSK could not be ruled out going into the final stretch.
But Rayudu was visibly tiring and when he was cleaned up by Rabada in the 18th, CSK were left needing 35 off 13 – an equation which became 27 off the last over, to be bowled by Rishi Dhawan. Dhoni smashed the first one into the crowd to threaten a reprise, and a wide from the next ball left Dhawan feeling the heat. But a well-executed yorker was followed up by Dhoni holing out to deep midwicket and Punjab fans could breathe again.
Full report to follow…
Source: ESPN Crickinfo