TATA IPL 2024: Brar and Chahar Shine as PBKS Clinch 7-Wicket Victory Over CSK
Spinners Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar delivered impressive bowling performances, each claiming two wickets while maintaining tight economy rates of 2-17 and 2-16 respectively. Their disciplined spells halted Chennai Super Kings' momentum in the middle overs, constraining them to 162/7. Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw complemented the effort with valuable innings, both scoring 40 runs, guiding Punjab Kings to a convincing seven-wicket victory at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Brar and Chahar's combined figures of 4-33 in eight overs, without conceding any boundaries, played a pivotal role in the triumph.
Responding to the target, Bairstow and Rossouw contributed 46 and 43 runs respectively, setting a strong foundation for Punjab Kings. Shashank Singh and Sam Curran then efficiently guided PBKS to a comfortable victory, securing the win with seven wickets in hand and 13 balls remaining. This victory marked PBKS's fifth consecutive win over CSK, elevating them to seventh place on the points table. CSK faced challenges due to dew and suffered the loss of Deepak Chahar to a hamstring injury after just two balls into the second innings.
Chasing 163, Prabhsimran Singh hit a 10-ball 13 before a leading edge on his flick was caught by mid-off, giving Richard Gleeson his maiden IPL wicket. But Rilee Rossouw was unstoppable from the get-go – taking consecutive fours each off Gleeson and Mustafizur Rahman. From the other end, Jonny Bairstow cut and pulled Shardul Thakur for a brace of fours as PBKS reached 52/1 at the end of power-play. Post that, Bairstow was severe on Ravindra Jadeja in his opening over, cutting at the last moment and pulling powerfully to take two fours.
Bairstow's performance seemed to pick up right where he left off in his 48-ball century against Kolkata Knight Riders last week. This was evident as he confidently executed a pull shot and a slog sweep off Moeen Ali, sending the ball for six and four respectively. Adding to his impressive display, Bairstow cut Ravindra Jadeja for another boundary. However, his innings came to an end when he attempted to ramp a short delivery from Dube, who was bowling for the first time in IPL 2024, only to edge it behind to the wicketkeeper.
Rossouw showcased his power by pulling Dube for a six over square leg and then followed it up with a four cut through cover, accumulating 14 runs from the tenth over. Shardul Thakur entered the attack and dismissed Rossouw with a full-toss delivery. He could have also claimed the wicket of Shashank Singh if Daryl Mitchell hadn't missed a chance at mid-off. However, Shashank, along with captain Sam Curran, steadied the ship for Punjab Kings. The duo combined for five boundaries and shared a 50-run partnership in 37 balls for the fourth wicket. This partnership ensured another away win for PBKS, with the winning runs ultimately coming from an overthrow.
