Punjab Kings started their run chase with a bang as they scored 43 runs in the first three overs. However, the scoring rate dropped since then as CSK crawled their way back into the game.
PBKS openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh attacked from the off, taking full advantage of the field restrictions in the powerplay. Priyansh Arya was eventually dismissed for 39 of 11 deliveries by Matt Henry. The Kiwi star hit the perfect length and knocked back the off stump to give CSK a much-needed breakthrough.
Prabhsimran Singh started off well, scoring quickly; however, the PBKS innings lost momentum after the loss of Arya. Singh was joined by Cooper Connolly at the crease, who was the hero of PBKS`s last match. The Aussie star would hope to continue his good form and guide his team to yet another victory.
Batting first, CSK scored 209 runs at the end of their first innings against PBKS. Ayush Mhatre was CSK`s star with the bat, scoring 73 off 43 balls. Late in the innings, Shivam Dube gave the hosts a strong finish to put CSK in a commanding position.
Vijaykumar Vyshak starred with the ball for PBKS, taking two wickets, in what was an otherwise poor performance from the bowlers. Arshdeep Singh was wicketless in his four overs as CSK batters dominated on a tricky wicket.
With Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera still to come. Marcus Stoinis and Marco Jansen could be handy with the bat lower down the order, too. PBKS will hope to reach CSK`s total and register a second win of the season.
PBKS will hope that captain Shreyas Iyer can repeat his heroics of last season against Chennai and take his team to victory. The Indian star scored an unbeaten 72 in Chennai against CSK last year.
Playing XI for both teams:
CSK: Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed
PBKS: Prabhsimran Singh(w), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer(c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal
