IPL 2024: Punjab tame Chennai in their own den to win battle of the Kings

Punjab Kings delivered a strong an all-rounded performance to secure a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on Wednesday.

After Lucknow Super Giants breached CSK's fortress at Chepauk it was the turn of the Punjab Kings to hand the former five-time champions a second successive loss in their own den

And not for the first time did the CSK bowlers struggle to find their rhythm with the dew factor hindering them throughout the night.

To add to another tough day in the office for the home side pacer Deepak Chahar limped off the field after bowling just two deliveries in the very first over of PBKS’ chase of a modest 163.

Despite enduring an early injury blow, CSK managed to strike in the powerplay with Richard Gleeson removing Prabhsimran Singh (13) to claim his maiden IPL wicket.

However, Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw took the game away from the Super Kings with a 64-run stand. Being a bowler down Shivam Dube was called in to bowl and he delivered the goods by breaking the partnership.

Bairstow (46) attempted to play the ball between MS Dhoni and the slip. but did not find the ideal placement or connection and ended up being caught by the legendary Indian cricketer.

Shardul Thakur raised hopes of an unprecedented comeback for CSK as he dismissed Rossouw who chopped the ball onto his stumps and departed for 43.

Stand-in skipper Sam Curran (25) and Shashank Singh (26) forged an unbeaten 50-run stand to clinch a comfortable seven-wicket win for PBKS.

"Anytime you come to Chennai and get two points, it is a huge feeling," said Curran. "Last year also we lost all our home games and won the away games. We are getting a hint of the formulas.

:Any team that can get momentum at the back-end is dangerous. We are quietly confident that we are coming up against them in a couple of days' time.

"The spinners were the pick of the bowlers. I bowled and got hit. The pace bowlers were going all the way, so thankfully it worked," he added. "This game is tough for the bowlers, we have got to be creative."

Chennai Super Kings 162/7 (Ruturaj Gaikwad 62, Ajinkya Rahane 29; Rahul Chahar 2-16) beat Punjab Kings 163/3 (Jonny Bairstow 46, Rilee Rossouw 43) by seven wickets.