Dharamsala, May 6:
Ravindra Jadeja’s stellar all-round performance guided Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a remarkable victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 53 of the TATA IPL 2024 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
CSK, after being in a precarious position at 101/5, were resurrected by Jadeja’s fighting knock of 43 off 26 deliveries, propelling them to a total of 167/9. However, it was his bowling that truly shone as he scalped three crucial wickets for just 20 runs, restricting PBKS to 139/9.
The match commenced with Punjab Kings winning the toss and electing to field. CSK lost early wickets, but a stabilizing partnership between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell took them to 60/1 at the end of the Powerplay. However, quick wickets fell thereafter, with PBKS bowlers maintaining pressure.
Jadeja’s late onslaught, supported by contributions from Moeen Ali and Shardul Thakur, pushed CSK to a competitive total. In response, PBKS faltered early, losing key wickets to CSK’s bowling attack led by Tushar Deshpande and Jadeja.
PBKS never managed to recover from the early blows and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Despite some resistance from lower-order batsmen, the target proved too daunting as CSK secured a convincing 28-run victory.
Jadeja’s all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his significant impact in CSK’s triumph. His performance played a pivotal role in reviving CSK’s campaign in the tournament.
With this win, CSK strengthens their position in the points table, while PBKS face an uphill task to bounce back in the remaining matches of the season.
Injured Pathirana returns home
Meanwhile, five-time winners and reigning champions CSK suffered a blow when pacer Matheesha Pathirana returned to Sri Lanka following a hamstring injury.
The sling bowler, who is the vital cog in the CSK bowling attack picking wickets at crucial junctures, is likely to miss the rest of the matches.
A CSK statement on Sunday said he is nursing a hamstring injury and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further recovery.
The right-arm pacer played six matches in IPL 2024 picking up 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.68.
Chennai Super Kings wishes Pathirana a quick recovery, it said.
The CSK bowling attack is hit with Deepak Chahar limping out of the last home game and offie Theekshana too is suffering from slight niggle.
Their main spearhead Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh has returned home to attend to his national duty leaving Tushar Desphande to shoulder the burden of the attack.
