The focal point of Punjab Kings’ five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL encounter in Chennai on Friday was captain Shreyas Iyer’s half-century, which was both elegant and aggressive.
On a dew-less Chepauk night, Shreyas (50, 29 balls) and his 59-run partnership with Nehal Wadhera for the fourth wicket helped Punjab reach 210/5 while chasing a competitive 209, condemning the hosts to their second straight loss.
Although it was Punjab’s second straight victory, the PBKS also had other heroes.
Priyansh Arya (39) and Prabhsimran Singh (43) put up a 61-run opening stand to start the PBKS run chase. Cooper Connolly slammed a 22-ball 36 before Iyer and Wadhera took over.
Shashank Singh (10) and Marcus Stoinis (9) guided Punjab to victory with 8 balls to spare.
Earlier, Chennai Super Kings scored 209/5 thanks to a 43-ball 73 from Ayush Mhatre.
After Sanju Samson failed for the second straight game, 18-year-old Mhatre and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad combined for 96 runs for the second wicket to rescue CSK.
Xavier Bartlett got the breakthrough when Samson (7) made room and attempted to cart him over the off-side, but all he could accomplish was a healthy edge to wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh.
However, Mhatre’s dismissal proved to be a minor setback as he used power and accuracy to destroy Punjab’s bowling.
Mhatre hit pacer Bartlett for three consecutive fours: a loft over midwicket, a flick, and a pull. In the Powerplay, his dashing strokeplay took CSK to 57/1. The Mumbai teenager pulled Marco Jansen for a six, suggesting that Mhatre had moved past his problems with short-pitched deliveries.
Later, the right-hander sped to his fifty from 29 balls, by hitting Marcus Stoinis for two consecutive sixes, both down the ground.
However, he struggled to read Yuzvendra Chahal’s variations and shrugged a little against the seasoned spinner. Chahal used a series of googlies to fox Mhatre, who is 17 years younger than him.
Vijayakumar Vyshak dropped Mhatre inside the circle on 59, and later by Shahshank Singh who ran in from deep extra cover on 67. However, Mhatre’s attempt to guide Vyshak ended up in Chahal’s hands at short third man.
Between the 10th and 15th overs, CSK’s progress slowed down as the hosts only scored 45 runs from five overs, and Gaikwad was also dismissed by Chahal. Sarfaraz Khan used his signature dabs and close-the-body drives for a barrage of boundaries in an exciting cameo of 32 off 12 balls to give the CSK innings some momentum.
Sarfaraz skied Vyshak to Nehal Wadhera after hammering Arshdeep Singh and Vyshak for a hat-trick of fours each. In the final five overs, CSK scored 64 runs to surpass the 200-run threshold thanks to a blazing 45 from 27 balls from Shivam Dube.
