source : BCCI
Yuzvendra Chahal’s stunning 19th-over hat-trick capped off a chaotic finish as Punjab Kings defeated Chennai Super Kings by four wickets, ending CSK’s playoff hopes. Chahal, who had bowled just two overs up to that point, was handed the ball with MS Dhoni on strike and PBKS in search of a breakthrough. One six from Dhoni was all CSK managed before Chahal sparked a collapse, removing Dhoni, Hooda, Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad in the space of four balls. What looked like a 210-plus total crumbled to 190 all out, changing the complexion of the match.
Sam Curran’s blazing 88 had earlier set CSK up for a massive total after a shaky start. Coming in at No. 3, Curran controlled the middle overs and launched a fierce assault late in the innings, especially targeting Suryansh Shedge for a 26-run over. The Englishman’s knock gave Chennai their best chance at crossing 200 at home this season. But a lack of support from the other end and Chahal’s late impact meant they fell 15-20 runs short of what seemed possible at one stage.
PBKS’s chase was anchored by two fluent innings from Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer. The openers laid a solid platform with a 44-run stand before Shreyas took over, shifting gears effortlessly after Prabhsimran’s dismissal. From a steady 28 off 23, Shreyas accelerated with clinical shot-making, especially dismantling Pathirana’s yorkers with a combination of timing, placement, and power. His 72 off 45 balls nearly sealed the win before a tense penultimate over brought a final twist.
With just three runs needed off nine balls, PBKS wobbled suddenly. Shreyas was bowled going for the glory hit, and the next five balls brought only two runs and another wicket. The pressure was back on with the scores level and three balls left. It was Marco Jansen who ended the suspense with a streaky inside edge to the boundary, securing the win and sending the PBKS dugout into celebration.
This result leaves CSK out of the playoff race while PBKS stay alive with renewed momentum. Chahal’s second IPL hat-trick not only derailed Chennai’s innings but highlighted PBKS’s ability to find game-changing moments under pressure. Shreyas’s calm under fire and Curran’s resurgence at the top order added depth to a contest that ebbed and flowed until the final shot was played.
