Shreyas, Prabhsimran, and Chahal Shine as Punjab Kings Knock CSK Out of Playoffs
Shreyas, Prabhsimran, and Chahal Shine as Punjab Kings Knock CSK Out of Playoffs
IPL 2025: Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 4 wickets. Wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal takes a stunning hat-trick against 5 time champion CSK.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) secured a thrilling four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK), officially knocking them out of the IPL 2025 playoffs. The match turned dramatically in the 19th over when Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a stunning four-wicket haul, including his second IPL hat-trick, completely shifting the momentum and reducing CSK's total from a potential 210 to 191.
CSK had looked strong throughout most of their innings, thanks to Sam Curran’s brilliant knock of 88 runs off 47 balls. His aggressive batting, particularly against PBKS’ weaker bowlers, positioned CSK to breach 200 runs for the first time at home this season. However, Chahal’s late spell dismantled their batting lineup, triggering a collapse that saw CSK lose their last five wickets for just six runs in a span of seven balls.
When PBKS came out to chase 191, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer played a key role in stabilising the innings with well-paced half-centuries. Their partnership gave PBKS control of the chase, allowing them to reach a comfortable position. However, the match took another dramatic twist in the final moments. When PBKS needed just three runs off nine balls, Shreyas got bowled while attempting to finish in style. This led to a tense finish as PBKS struggled to score, losing another wicket and managing just two runs off the next five balls, leaving the scores tied with three balls remaining. Ultimately, Marco Jansen’s inside-edged four sealed the victory, bringing an intense battle to a close.
Chahal’s spell was crucial in PBKS' win. Until the 19th over, PBKS had avoided using their spinners against CSK’s left-hand batters. However, with MS Dhoni at the crease, Shreyas handed the ball to Chahal. Dhoni smacked a six off the first legal delivery but was dismissed on the next ball. What followed was chaos for CSK, with Chahal quickly taking down Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad in consecutive deliveries, completing a remarkable hat-trick.
Earlier in CSK’s innings, Curran was their star performer. Playing in only his fourth match of the season, he carried the team after they lost early wickets. His fearless approach, particularly against PBKS’ weaker bowlers, helped CSK reach 160 for 4 in 16 overs, setting them up for a strong finish. However, the lack of support from other batters and Chahal’s magic undid all the hard work.
On the PBKS side, Prabhsimran and Shreyas dictated the chase. Prabhsimran maintained a balance between aggressive and steady batting, but his dismissal in the 13th over shifted the responsibility to Shreyas. Sensing the moment, Shreyas accelerated dramatically, racing from 28 off 23 balls to 50 off 32 while clearing the boundary twice. His dominance was particularly evident in the 17th over, where he smashed 6, 6, and 4 off Pathirana’s bowling.
With Shashank Singh also finding the boundary at the other end, PBKS appeared to be cruising to victory. However, the unexpected dismissal of Shreyas in the final stretch nearly pushed them into a panic. Despite the late drama, PBKS held their nerve and crossed the line, marking a massive win and officially eliminating CSK from playoff contention.
This match showcased the unpredictability of IPL cricket, with thrilling twists, individual brilliance, and crucial moments that defined the outcome. PBKS’ victory will be remembered for Chahal’s hat-trick and the late-game nerves that made the contest unforgettable.