In a thrilling IPL 2025 contest at Mullanpur, Punjab Kings (PBKS) gained their third victory of the season by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but the important point of the match was skipper Shreyas Iyer’s decision to hold back Yuzvendra Chahal until the 17th over, despite the leg-spinner being the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Batting first, PBKS posted a commanding total of 219 runs, with the help of young opener Praiynsh Arya scoring 103 off just 42 balls. His innings was capitalised by Shashank Singh (52) and Marco Jansen (34), who provided crucial late-innings fireworks. CSK’s bowling struggled, with only Khaleel Ahmed and Ravichandran Ashwin managing to pick up two wickets each, though the right-arm spinner was expensive, conceding 48 runs.
Talking about bringing in Chahal in the 18th over, Shreyas Iyer pointed out the importance of the leg-spinner and how he can be a threat for the opponents.
“With Yuzi coming in we know how destructive he can be, but I felt that the instincts was to go with the seamers. Basically we wanted pace against Dube, we delayed a bit in that but eventually it worked out,” Iyer said at the post match ceremony.
CSK started the chase strongly, with openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway putting on a 61-run partnership. However, Glenn Maxwell broke through with the wicket of Ravindra, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was removed by Lockie Ferguson. Devon Conway and Shivam Dube then stitched together a solid 89-run stand, keeping CSK in the match.
Why has Chahal not been brought early in the bowling attack?
Conway and Dube are both left-handers who are skilled at using spin. Iyer chose to break their rhythm by using a pace-heavy approach instead. After Dube was removed, Yuzvendra Chahal entered the game, and MS Dhoni scored just nine runs off the seventeenth over.
CSK’s chase faltered in the death overs, handing PBKS a well-earned victory. PBKS got their third victory of the 2025 IPL and are in the 4th position in the points table. CSK, after the loss, stand in 9th position, aiming to get their second victory of this season. CSK will next face KKR on April 11, while PBKS take on SRH on April 12.
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