Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered an 18-run defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 22 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season in Mullanpur on Tuesday (April 8).
Riding on Priyansh Arya’s brutal century (103 off 42) and key contributions from Shashank Singh (52* off 36) and Marco Jansen (34* off 19), PBKS racked up a mammoth 219/6 on the board.
In reply, CSK could manage 201/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Devon Conway (69 retd out off 49), Shivam Dube (42 off 27), Rachin Ravindra (36 off 23) and MS Dhoni (27 off 12) batted well but failed to take the five-time champions over the line.
After the game, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad attributed his team’s loss to poor execution in the field. The visitors gave two reprieves to PBKS opener Arya, the first on the second ball of the game as he went on to slam the second-fastest century by an Indian in IPL history.
Gaikwad reckons his side was spot-on while chasing and the extra runs conceded took the game away for them.
"In the last four games, that is the only point of difference. It has been very critical. Every time we drop the catch, the same batter is adding 20-25-30 runs extra. If you leave out the RCB game, the last three chases, it was a matter of one or two or maybe three hits.
"If we had executed well, and at the end of the day, it also comes down to the dropped catches. Today was spot-on from a batting perspective. This is what we wanted. Our best batters, who can play pace very well, played up the order and had a brilliant powerplay. It was a better, improved performance and many positives,” said Gaikwad in the post-match presentation.
One of the surprising moments of the game was CSK's decision to retire Conway at 69 while Dhoni was hitting sixes from the other end as the Kiwi batter struggled to continue the momentum he had in the first 10 overs.
Gaikwad reflected on the decision to call him back to the dugout and send Ravindra Jadeja in his place.
“Devon is more of a timer of a ball. Very useful at the top of the order. Jaddu, his role is completely different. You know the batsman is struggling. We waited for him to time it and then changed when we thought it was necessary,” the CSK captain remarked.
It was CSK’s fourth defeat in five games this season. As a result, they are languishing at the ninth spot in the 10-team points table.
Chennai Super Kings will next face the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk on Friday (April 11).
(With IANS Inputs)
