PBKS vs CSK: Chahar, Jadeja combine to make Dhoni's 200th appearance for Super Kings special

This is the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) we have been waiting to witness since the previous edition of IPL. After a disappointing performance in the first match against the Delhi Capitals (DC), CSK register their first win in this edition of the IPL by beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) very convincingly. It is further their third consecutive triumph against the opposition. CSK’s bowling department, especially Deepak Chahar was ruthless in denting the PBKS batting lineup. Deepak who had failed to pick up a wicket in the match against DC, was in red hot form with the ball against PBKS. The pacer managed to dismiss the 4 top-order batsmen in his spell, conceding just 13 runs, with an economy of 3.2. These figures are absolutely magnificent. Deepak’s first victim was Mayank Agarwal who was sent back to the pavilion in the first over of the match. He bowled a brilliant outswinger which beat Mayank and crashed into the top of the off-stump. In the last ball of the over, Chris Gayle was dropped by Ruturaj Gaikad which would have given CSK a dream start to the match.

jaddu’s magic

But, shortly after, a Jadeja special caught KL Rahul short of his crease when he tried to sneak in a single off Deepak’s bowling. Jaddu had one stump to aim and he picked it up in one motion and hammered the furniture with a cracking direct hit. You can’t keep Jadeja out of action for long. He then produced a wonderful catch to get rid of Chris Gayle at backward point. Deepak earned his second wicket of the match thanks to Jadeja.

Anil Kumble, the Punjab Kings coach looked shell-shocked in the dugout. Pooran was the next batsman who fell off Deepak’s bowling. A second successive duck for Nicholas Pooran, a short ball aimed at the body, Pooran decided to pull but was clearly rushed for pace, dragged it off the inside half and found the fielder at fine leg. Deepak has his 3^rd wicket of the match.

In came Shahrukh Khan. The surprise big-money signing for PBKS looked to make his impression in the IPL. Shahrukh looked good with his stroke play and impressed with his skills. He was the highest scorer for PBKS with 47 runs of 36 balls.

Dhoni decided to bring back Deepak for his final over. What a decision that was. Deepak got rid of Hooda, who was the star performer with the bat for PBKS in the previous match, scoring 64 runs off just 28 balls. Deepak ended his spell with 4 wickets to his name, sending half of the PBKS team to the dugout by the 7^th over of the match. Sam Curran, Moeen Ali and DJ Bravo all picked up a wicket each in the demolition of PBKS.

 PBKS scrambled to reach 106-8 in 20 overs.

In reply, CSK managed to reach the total quite comfortably. Even though they lost Ruturaj early in the innings, Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali made sure their team crossed the line hassle-free. Moeen (46) and Faf (36*) made it look easy out in the middle with their stroke play.

The Punjab Kings will be facing Delhi Capitals in their next match on 18^th April, and Chennai Super Kings will face Rajasthan Royals on 19^th April.