IPL: CSK lose three in a row

THREE-TIME champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hit a roadblock just ahead of the playoffs as they lost to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets in the two teams’ final league game in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (7). The win gave Punjab a flicker of hope but just about.

The loss was Chennai third in a row and they finished their league campaign with 18 points from 14 matches. Punjab are now at the fifth position with 12 points from 14 games and a net run-rate of minus 0.001. They will now look at the results of the final games of Kolkata Knight Riders (who take on Rajasthan Royals on Thursday) and Mumbai Indians who take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday (8). Kolkata (NRR 0.294) are at the fourth position at the moment while Mumbai (minus 0.048) are in the sixth position. Both have 12 points from 13 games. Both Kolkata and Mumbai would have to lose by good margins for Punjab to qualify for the playoffs.

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Coming back to Thursday’s game, Punjab captain KL Rahul won the toss and sent Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Chennai to bat first. The decision was perhaps influenced by the fact that Chennai lost their last two games after batting first.

It was a mediocre display by the CSK batters once again as none other than opener Faf du Plessis (76 off 55) could not last long. Some energetic bowling from Punjab left Chennai reeling at 61 for 5 in the 12th over. It was the 67-run partnership between du Plessis and Ravindra Jadeja (15 not out off 17) that gave Chennai’s total some respectability. They finished at 134 for 6. Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh and Chris Jordan took two wickets each.

PBKS had a decent start but even if they lost some wickets, Rahul’s 98 not out off 42 balls ensured that they got two vital points. They reached home losing four wickets with as many as seven overs to spare! Shardul Thakur took three wickets for CSK.

CSK’s defeat meant Delhi Capitals will finish as the table toppers and they still have a game left against Royal Challengers Bangalore.