🟡 Super Kings Set the Stage: Introduction to the First Innings Drama
The clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Chepauk promised fireworks—and it delivered in style. On a surface aiding both batters and spinners, CSK opted to bat first, expecting their strong middle order to capitalize. What followed was a rollercoaster innings marked by Sam Curran’s counter-punching 88 and Yuzvendra Chahal’s incredible hat-trick that swung momentum wildly.
🚨 Early Stumbles: CSK Lose the Plot at the Top
CSK’s innings began with a familiar problem—top-order inconsistency. Ayush Mhatre (7 off 6) fell early to Marco Jansen, miscuing a length ball that spooned to mid-off. Soon after, Shaik Rasheed, who showed early aggression with a six and four, perished trying to slog Arshdeep Singh, caught at cover.
- CSK 1st Wicket: Ayush Mhatre c Shreyas Iyer b Jansen 7(6)
- CSK 2nd Wicket: Shaik Rasheed c Shashank Singh b Arshdeep 11(12)
🔥 Enter Curran: The Momentum Shifter
When CSK were 22/2, Sam Curran walked out with intent and fire. He bludgeoned the Punjab bowlers with a perfect blend of power and placement. Curran’s knock included 9 fours and 4 sixes, consistently targeting deep midwicket and straight boundaries.
His assault began with classy boundaries off Suryansh Shedge and Azmatullah, then intensified with a sequence of sixes and fours between overs 12–16. He reached his fifty in 34 balls, using sheer timing and smart placement.
- Curran’s milestones:
- 50 off 34 balls
- 88 off 47 (9×4, 4×6)
🔗 Building the Foundation: Brevis Joins the Act
Alongside Curran, Dewald Brevis played the supporting role with calculated aggression. He hit 32 off 26 balls, anchoring during Curran’s explosion. His highlight was a 96-meter six off Chahal and a scoop over the keeper off Jansen, showcasing his audacity.
- Partnership: Curran & Brevis – 71 runs
🧨 Timeout Breakthrough: Azmatullah Dents CSK
Just after the second timeout, Punjab broke the vital partnership. Azmatullah dismissed Brevis with a well-directed length delivery that crashed into off-stump. It marked the start of Punjab’s bowling resurgence.
- Brevis b Azmatullah 32(26)
💣 The Dhoni Drama: Cheers, Sixes, and Then Silence
Chepauk roared as MS Dhoni walked in, and he didn’t disappoint. Starting with a streaky four and a monstrous six, Dhoni looked set for a grand finish. But Chahal had other plans. In the 18th over, Dhoni mistimed a lofted shot and was caught near the long-off boundary, falling for 11(4).
- Dhoni c Nehal Wadhera b Chahal 11(4)
🎩 Chahal’s Hat-Trick: From Mayhem to Masterclass
Yuzvendra Chahal delivered the moment of the match with a hat-trick that turned the game on its head:
- 18.2 – Removed Dhoni with a flighted delivery outside off.
- 18.4 – Hooda fell trying to slash a wide delivery.
- 18.5 – Anshul Kamboj was bowled through the gate.
- 19.0 – Noor Ahmad tried to go big but was caught at long-on.
Chahal’s final figures:
- 4 wickets in 6 balls
- 2nd IPL hat-trick
- Hat-trick wickets: Dhoni, Hooda, Kamboj
- Bonus wicket: Noor Ahmad c Marco Jansen b Chahal
🔚 Final Flourish: Dube Tries, but No Time
With wickets tumbling rapidly, Shivam Dube tried to salvage a few with a boundary off the first ball of the final over. But with too much left to do and not enough partners, CSK limped to a below-par finish.
📊 Over-by-Over Summary: How the Innings Unfolded
- Overs 1–5: CSK lose two wickets early, pressure builds (Score: 32/2)
- Overs 6–10: Curran, Brevis steady the innings, some counter-attacks (Score: 68/2)
- Overs 11–15: Carnage begins – Curran takes control, 70 runs scored (Score: 138/3)
- Overs 16–20: Chahal steals the show with 4 wickets, CSK crash (Final: 163 all out)
🧮 Key Stats from CSK’s First Innings
| Player | Runs (Balls) | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Curran | 88 (47) | 9 | 4 |
| Dewald Brevis | 32 (26) | 2 | 1 |
| MS Dhoni | 11 (4) | 1 | 1 |
| Shivam Dube | 4* (1) | 1 | 0 |
Fall of Wickets: 1-12 (Mhatre), 2-22 (Rasheed), 3-93 (Brevis), 4-138 (Curran), 5-149 (Dhoni), 6-151 (Hooda), 7-151 (Kamboj), 8-151 (Noor Ahmad)
🎯 Bowling Scorecard: PBKS’s Game-Changing Spells
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 4 | 32 | 4 |
| Marco Jansen | 4 | 30 | 2 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 25 | 2 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4 | 39 | 1 |
| Suryansh Shedge | 2 | 40 | 0 |
| Harpreet Brar | 2 | 21 | 1 |
🏁 End of the First Act: What’s a Good Score at Chepauk?
CSK’s 163 might seem competitive, but on a flat Chepauk deck and with Punjab’s power-packed top order, they may find themselves 20–25 runs short. Curran’s lone warrior act gave them hope, but Chahal’s brilliance pegged them back. PBKS now have a chaseable target with momentum in their corner.
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