Chennai: Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a solid half-century despite a sluggish Chepauk pitch and accurate Punja Kings spinners, but Chennai Super Kings could only manage 162 runs for seven wickets in their IPL match here on Wednesday.
Once they were asked to bat first, captain Gaikwad (62, 48b, 5x4, 2x6) and opening partner Ajinkya Rahane (29, 24b) added 61 runs for the opening wicket, but they made up for it by 49 runs. Used balls.
However, there was also a glimmer of intention in their alliance.
Gaikwad played a brilliant upper cut off Arshdeep Singh over the slip for a four and Rahane hit three consecutive fours off Sam Curran, including a beautiful cove drive.
But they were too far and few in between to make a real impact.CSK's collapse began when PBKS fielded their spinners immediately after the power play, leading to 55 without loss.
Rahane tried to slog sweep Harpreet Brar but his skier ended up in the hands of Riley Rossouw in the deep.
But the left-arm spinner delivered a big blow on the next ball, with Shivam Dubey, who was named in India's T20 World Cup squad, being out LBW on the very first ball.
Dube, promoted to No. 3 to counter spin, failed to connect a fuller ball by Brar at mid-stump, and had to be sent back despite seeking DRS help.
In the next over, leg spinner Rahul Chahar dismissed Ravindra Jadeja, who was deceived by a ball that overtook him.It was a complete collapse for CSK, losing three wickets for just 16 runs in that phase between the sixth and 10th overs.
For a team that usually manages a middle course at a run-rate of 10.6 between the seventh and 15th overs, CSK could only score 47 runs in that period against PBKS.
A major share of the credit must go to Punjab's two spinners - Brar and Chahar - who took full advantage of the slow pitch to post a combined figure of 33 runs for four wickets in eight overs.
He did not give a single four in his spell.
It was always going to be difficult for Chennai to bounce back from that situation.Gaikwad did his best against fast bowlers Harshal Patel and Curran, using his timing and a good series of shots to complete his half-century in 44 balls.
The right-handed batsman completed his third consecutive half-century in this IPL by hitting a six over long-on off Curran and it was also the first six of the CS innings as he scored 20 runs in that over.
CSK scored 60 runs in the last five overs as Moeen Ali (15, 9b) helped Gaikwad add 38 runs for the fifth wicket.
Once they were asked to bat first, captain Gaikwad (62, 48b, 5x4, 2x6) and opening partner Ajinkya Rahane (29, 24b) added 61 runs for the opening wicket, but they made up for it by 49 runs. Used balls.
However, there was also a glimmer of intention in their alliance.
Gaikwad played a brilliant upper cut off Arshdeep Singh over the slip for a four and Rahane hit three consecutive fours off Sam Curran, including a beautiful cove drive.
But they were too far and few in between to make a real impact.CSK's collapse began when PBKS fielded their spinners immediately after the power play, leading to 55 without loss.
Rahane tried to slog sweep Harpreet Brar but his skier ended up in the hands of Riley Rossouw in the deep.
But the left-arm spinner delivered a big blow on the next ball, with Shivam Dubey, who was named in India's T20 World Cup squad, being out LBW on the very first ball.
Dube, promoted to No. 3 to counter spin, failed to connect a fuller ball by Brar at mid-stump, and had to be sent back despite seeking DRS help.
In the next over, leg spinner Rahul Chahar dismissed Ravindra Jadeja, who was deceived by a ball that overtook him.It was a complete collapse for CSK, losing three wickets for just 16 runs in that phase between the sixth and 10th overs.
For a team that usually manages a middle course at a run-rate of 10.6 between the seventh and 15th overs, CSK could only score 47 runs in that period against PBKS.
A major share of the credit must go to Punjab's two spinners - Brar and Chahar - who took full advantage of the slow pitch to post a combined figure of 33 runs for four wickets in eight overs.
He did not give a single four in his spell.
It was always going to be difficult for Chennai to bounce back from that situation.Gaikwad did his best against fast bowlers Harshal Patel and Curran, using his timing and a good series of shots to complete his half-century in 44 balls.
The right-handed batsman completed his third consecutive half-century in this IPL by hitting a six over long-on off Curran and it was also the first six of the CS innings as he scored 20 runs in that over.
CSK scored 60 runs in the last five overs as Moeen Ali (15, 9b) helped Gaikwad add 38 runs for the fifth wicket.
