NEW DELHI: Yuzvendra Chahal produced a spellbinding performance, claiming a stunning hat-trick that shattered Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) innings, while Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a composed knock to guide Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a thrilling four-wicket win, effectively knocking CSK out of the IPL 2025 playoff race at Chepauk on Wednesday.
Batting first, CSK looked poised for a big total, thanks to Sam Curran’s explosive 88 off 47 balls. The all-rounder smashed nine fours and four sixes, anchoring the innings after early setbacks. Dewald Brevis added 32, and MS Dhoni chipped in with a brisk 11 off just four deliveries. At 177/5 in the 18th over, Chennai appeared set for a 200-plus score.
Then came Chahal’s magic.
Bowling the 19th over, the leg-spinner turned the tide dramatically. He first removed Dhoni, caught at long-off after being hit for a six. Two balls later, Deepak Hooda edged behind to the keeper. On the very next delivery, Anshul Kamboj was bowled for a golden duck. Chahal completed his hat-trick with the dismissal of Noor Ahmad, skittling CSK from 184/5 to 190 all out in just 19.2 overs.
Chahal finished with figures of 4/32 in three overs, sealing his second IPL hat-trick and registering a record ninth four-wicket haul in the league’s history.
Chasing 191, PBKS started strong with Prabhsimran Singh smashing 54 off 36 balls. Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a classy 71 off 41 deliveries. Despite a few late stumbles, Punjab crossed the finish line in 19.4 overs at 194/6.
Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana tried to spark a late comeback with two wickets apiece, but CSK’s hopes were dashed following Chahal’s game-changing burst.
With this win, PBKS moved to second on the points table with 13 points, while CSK remained at the bottom with just two wins in 11 matches.
Brief Scores:
CSK: 190 all out in 19.2 overs (Sam Curran 88, Chahal 4/32)
PBKS: 194/6 in 19.4 overs (Shreyas Iyer 71, Prabhsimran 54)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 4 wickets
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