Make that four losses in a row for Chennai Super Kings! Things are certainly not going their way this season, especially when theyโre tasked with chasing big targets. On the other hand, itโs a much-needed turnaround for Punjab Kings as they finally register their first win at home this season. In the last seven meetings between these two sides, Punjab have now won six. CSK just havenโt found the answers against this Punjab unit lately.
We shift to the Narendra Modi Stadium tomorrow as the Gujarat Titans host the Rajasthan Royals. For now, this is Akshay Bhide signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Pritam Dey, AkshayaKrishna Polya & Ninaad Dixit who, along with scorers/analysts Paras Yadav and Manish Bishnoi and statistician Aman brought all the updates of this clash. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE๐๐ผ
Highest Match Aggregates in Mullanpur in T20s:
420 between PBKS and CSK, 2025, Tonight*
388 between Bengal and Puducherry, 2023
375 between PBKS and MI, 2024
Priyansh Arya (Player of the Match): "Sir, it feels out of the world for me. I am very happy for myself but I want to contribute more for the team.
The intent will be same for me. When I spoke to Shreyas bhaiya, he told me to bat with positive intent. If I get the first ball in the slot, he told me to go for it. I did exactly that tonight.
Sir I always like to play according to the situations. When Nehal walked in, I had a chat with him whether I showed slow down or not. But he told me to play my natural game and I continued to go for big shots.
All the bowlers of CSK are really good. Any bowler can give me trouble but I wanted to play my natural game."
Player of the Match: Priyansh Arya
Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings Captain): "This is going to be the template irrespective of the ground we play at. We've got varieties in the batting lineup and also strong hitters. They are great timers of the ball. Priyansh was scintillating to watch from outside. Out of this world sort of an innings.
[On Priyansh Arya] When I had chat with him in the last game, he was a bit timid in terms of his decision making when he faced Jofra but today when he went out to bat he was like I'm just backing my instincts. I saw the ball pitched in my area and I was just free flowing. That's the mindset I want each and every individual playing in the team. You don't have it your way on odd days but today he kept on going, he was fearless and basically one of the top knocks I've seen in IPL so far.
[On not bowling Yuzi] That was a tactical call because Dube had already played few deliveries and also Conway. With Yuzi coming in we know how destructive he can be but Yuzi is always a smart bowler. He can turn the situation any way but I felt my instincts at that point of time would be the seamers coming in and bowling slower ones into the wicket when the ball was stopping a bit. We basically wanted pace against Dube so that was our initial tactic. Eventually it worked out.
[On fielding lapses] We haven't played a best game yet. Once they get fearless while fielding, we need to go back, take some catches and do some group sessions and focus on the positives."
Most Dot Balls of the Match: Lockie Ferguson (10 Dot Balls)