IPL 2025: Iyer, Prabhsimran and Chahal Help Punjab Kings Eliminate CSK Out of Playoffs Race

Chennai Super Kings became the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2025 after suffering their eighth loss in ten matches. Despite posting a total of 190 after being put to bat, CSK faced the threat of a comfortable defeat. However, they managed to stretch the match to the final over, but ultimately fell short. Punjab Kings climbed to second place in the points table with this victory.

The key difference between the two sides was the crucial 72-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh, which helped Punjab Kings navigate the middle overs effectively. While dew played a role, the pair’s flawless boundary-hitting against CSK’s bowlers proved to be the deciding factor.

CSK Struggles Early on Sticky Pitch

On a tricky surface, playing shots was never going to be straightforward, and CSK’s young openers quickly discovered this. Both Shiak Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre fell while attempting to accelerate against Punjab’s seamers, who bowled with precision in the challenging conditions.

CSK’s decision to promote Ravindra Jadeja up the order seemed to provide early rewards, as he injected some momentum by hitting left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar for three boundaries in four balls. However, Brar had the final say, dismissing Jadeja caught behind on review in the very same over. This left CSK in a vulnerable position as they reached the end of the PowerPlay.

Curran and Brevis Revive CSK’s Innings

What seemed to be another continuation of CSK’s struggles this season took a positive turn thanks to an enterprising partnership between Sam Curran and Dewald Brevis. The pair added 78 runs for the fourth wicket, steering CSK through the middle overs, particularly against spin. Unlike their previous performances in this edition, where they had often struggled, the duo launched a counterattack against Harpreet Brar and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Chahal was struck for 23 runs in his first two overs, prompting PBKS to switch back to pace. However, this did little to slow down the partnership as both Curran and Brevis expertly found the boundaries. The only breakthrough came when Omarzai bowled a delivery that skidded past Brevis, providing PBKS with a moment of relief. Curran, however, brought up his fifty shortly after and shifted gears just as CSK began their push toward the death overs.

A Hat-Trick in a Thrilling Finish

Yuzvendra Chahal claimed his second IPL hat-trick in a dramatic penultimate over, which also saw him dismiss MS Dhoni, who had just hit him for a six. This pivotal over dented CSK’s spirited finish, as they had set a total of 190. Sam Curran had earlier ignited the charge, blasting 26 runs off the 16th over bowled by Suryansh Shedge, and seemed poised to race towards a century.

However, in a surprising turn, Curran fell softly, edging behind to Jansen. His 47-ball 88, though, had provided CSK with more than enough to work with, especially on a pitch that offered some assistance to the slower bowlers, as Chahal would later demonstrate.

PBKS on Track Thanks to the Openers

Chasing 191, Punjab’s openers stuck to their aggressive template, with attacking play being their primary focus. Priyansh Arya began by edging a boundary off the first over bowled by Khaleel, then continued to slog and added another boundary in the same over.

Arya was the dominant partner in the 44-run opening stand, looking confident against the side he had previously scored a century against. He dispatched Khaleel for a couple of boundaries before falling while attempting to pull a sharp, short ball, only to glove it through to the keeper. Despite the setback, PBKS had successfully kept up with the required run rate during this phase.

Iyer and Prabhsimran Put PBKS in Control

CSK had hoped to apply pressure through their spinners during the middle overs, but with dew settling in, none of their spinners were able to make an impact, easing the batting conditions. Prabhsimran and Shreyas Iyer capitalized on this, smartly picking their spots to find boundaries. With Jadeja and Noor Ahmad proving ineffective, Dhoni turned to Sam Curran and Matheesha Pathirana after the halfway mark. However, Pathirana struggled, conceding 14 runs in his first over, continuing CSK’s season-long woes.

Prabhsimran, who had reached a quick 32-ball fifty, was dropped by Pathirana off Noor Ahmad, but the reprieve didn’t last long. He was dismissed in the same over, ending a solid 72-run stand for the second wicket. Despite the setback, CSK saw a glimmer of hope to get back into the contest. But Iyer seized the opportunity, hammering Curran for 15 runs in the next over and bringing up his own fifty. This ensured that PBKS maintained the momentum from their partnership, staying firmly in control of the chase.

PBKS Cruise to Victory Despite a Late Twist

With 52 runs required from the final five overs, PBKS needed a few key hits to stay on track. Shashank Singh kept up with the required rate, hitting a crucial six off Noor Ahmad. However, it was Shreyas Iyer who delivered the decisive blows, smashing Pathirana for two sixes and a four, collecting 20 runs in the 17th over, which swung the chase firmly in PBKS’ favor.

Shashank added valuable boundaries in the following over off Jadeja before being caught in the deep. At this point, the chase seemed all but over, but Iyer’s dismissal, falling three runs short of the target, kept CSK’s hopes alive. The game dragged into the final over, where PBKS managed to scrape over the line with two balls to spare.

Brief Scores

Chennai Super Kings: 190 all out (Sam Curran 88; Yuzvendra Chahal 4-32)
Punjab Kings: 194/6 (Shreyas Iyer 72, Prabhsimran Singh 54)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 4 wickets

What Next for Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings?

In the coming days, Chennai Super Kings will travel to Bengaluru to face Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 3. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will head to Dharamsala to take on Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, May 4.

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