In the heart of the picturesque Dharamsala, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium witnessed a thrilling encounter between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings (PBKS vs CSK) on May 5, 2024.
It was the 53rd match of a season that had already seen its fair share of ups and downs. The stage was set for a showdown that would not disappoint.
Let check out PBKS vs CSK head to head in the IPL.
PBKS vs CSK: Head-To-Head in IPL
29 matches played between the PBKS vs CSK. Punjab Kings has won 14 matches while Chennai Super Kings has won 15 matches.
Toss Moment
The coin fell in favor of PBKS, and they chose to put CSK to the test with the bat first.
“We will field. Day game, try and see how it plays and later chase it. We have got two good wins with the same line up so we will go with the same eleven. Conditions should be fairly even throughout, It is about doing well in all three departments.”
Sam Curran, PBKS Skipper
“We’ve just stuck to our process and doing little things right. Not focussing on the opponents and their records, just want to do our process right. We have to make a lot of changes due to injury concerns in the squad. I’d say losing 10 tosses but winning 5 games is a positive. Mitchell Santner comes in place of Fizz”
Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK Skipper
PBKS vs CSK: First Innings
Chennai Super Kings Batting
CSK’s innings was a rollercoaster ride, with Ravindra Jadeja leading the charge with a fiery 43 off 26 balls, including three boundaries and two maximums.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell also made significant contributions, scoring 32 (21) and 30 (19) respectively.
However, the rest of the lineup couldn’t capitalize on the start, with Ajinkya Rahane (9), Shivam Dube (0), and MS Dhoni (0) falling cheaply.
CSK managed to put up a competitive total of 167/9.
Punjab Kings Bowling
PBKS bowlers had their moments of brilliance, particularly Rahul Chahar, who bagged 3 wickets for 23 runs, and Harshal Patel, with an equally impressive 3 for 24.
Arshdeep Singh and Sam Curran also chipped in with crucial wickets, keeping the CSK batsmen in check.
PBKS vs CSK: Second Innings
Punjab Kings Batting
Chasing 168 for victory, PBKS started their innings with intent. Prabhsimran Singh top-scored with 30 (23), and Shashank Singh added a quick 27 (20).
Despite their efforts, the rest of the batting lineup couldn’t keep up with the required run rate.
Chennai Super Kings Bowling
CSK’s bowlers, led by the man of the moment, Ravindra Jadeja, who took 3 wickets for 20 runs, kept a tight leash on the scoring.
Simarjeet Singh and Tushar Deshpande also made significant contributions, taking 2 wickets each.
PBKS could only muster 139/9 in their allotted overs.
Man of the Match
CSK’s victory by 28 runs was a testament to their all-round performance.
Jadeja’s all-round heroics, both with the bat and ball, earned him the Man of the Match award. His crucial innings and timely wickets were instrumental in CSK’s win.
“The pitch for today’s game was slow, which was pretty much anticipated due to the heat affecting it during this day game. In terms of our batting, we started strong in the powerplay but struggled to maintain momentum due to a lack of partnerships in the middle overs.
Ravindra Jadeja, CSK
I was aiming to establish a solid partnership to set up for a strong finish. As for our bowling, our pacers delivered upfront during the powerplay, with Tushar snagging two crucial wickets, and then Mitch and I managed to contain the opposition in the middle overs. Although the pitch appeared flat initially, it became challenging to play as the ball aged and didn’t come onto the bat as expected.
This being a new venue, it was tricky to predict the amount of turn or stoppage. We felt we were short by about 15-20 runs, but thankfully, our disciplined bowling in the powerplay and middle overs kept us in the game. My role as a batter is to anchor and build innings, looking to accelerate towards the end. However, when we lose early wickets, it’s challenging to regain momentum, which is critical in matches that we eventually win.”
The match between PBKS and CSK was a display of cricket at its finest.
CSK’s ability to put up a fighting total and defend it successfully showcased their balanced team strength and strategic prowess.
As the teams move forward, this match will be remembered for its intense competition and Jadeja’s standout performance.