Sam Curran proved to be the stand out player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their 4-wicket loss to Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 30 in the ongoing IPL 2025 match in Chennai. With this loss, CSK became the first team to be eliminated from the race for the playoffs.

CSK was asked to bat first and struggled to get going. It was only Sam Curran, who batted at no.3 in this match, scored 88 runs and also put up 78-run stand with Dewald Brevis (32) for the fourth wicket.

It was Curran's first half-century of the season, coming at a critical time after CSK had lost three early wickets after being put in to bat by PBKS.  

The focus, however, was on Curran's celebration. Curran was observed making a phone motion towards someone in the CSK camp after reaching his half-century. Curran, who was released by PBKS last season, has only played four games for CSK this season, and his gesture suggests that he should have played more.

Curran had an apparent incident with PBKS management on his way back to the dressing room after being dismissed in the 18th over. In a viral video, Curran was gesturing something towards the PBKS dugout.

PBKS won the game thanks to half-centuries by Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer (72). For the first time in IPL history, CSK has suffered five consecutive losses at Chepauk.

PBKS has defeated CSK in seven of their previous eight games, including three wins at Chepauk in three visits since 2023.