CSK vs PBKS

11:50 PM local time and IST: Right then, that is it for the action tonight. Tomorrow, we have the first double header of the season with 4 teams in action. The action starts in the afternoon in Delhi with DC vs MI before we move to Ahmedabad for GT vs RR, we will be there nice and early. Make sure you join us. For now, this is Sourabh Agrawal signing off on behalf of Pradeep and the rest of the team. Cheers!

Priyansh Arya is the Player of the Match for his 39 off 11 balls, this is what he said (translated from Hindi): (is he always used to playing in the aggressive fashion from the start?) It is from the start itself, I like to do what benefits the team and I believe that if the first ball is there to be hit for a six I will hit it, there is risk associated but I back myself

(coming up from state leagues to IPL) Obviously there is a difference, the bowlers are experienced here but I believe in myself. I take my practice very seriosuly, I do two batting sessions everyday and each of them are 1-1.5 hours because I love batting

(Family background of teaching) I come from a family background of teachers, even my sister is a teacher. I could have been a teacher too but now no chance

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings captain): (chasing 200+ totals) There is some worry before getting on the field but the start that we got today set it up for us today. Priyansh and Prabh(simran) got us off to a brilliant start, they have now been doing it consistently now which is very good to see. Happy to see everyone getting some batting in the early part of the tournament, it gives us confidence. (is it a plan to hit sixes from the first ball?).It is not a plan, it is more about impressing each other in the group, rather than outside.  (Priyansh Arya's performance) 39 off 11 balls, he was just amazing . (What to you say to the bowlers?) It was a belter to bat on, it is important to remain calm. We need to focus on the over-rate, we had to bowl with 5 fielders inside the ring in the last two overs. (Giving Chahal just 3 overs) We know that Dube is a good player of spin, even some of the domestic guys are good at playing spin so I wanted to go with the seamers but Yuzi is such a pro, whenever I'm in doubt I go to him

Cooper Connolly [Punjab Kings]: "(On holding the Orange Cap early in the tournament) It’s still early days, so the focus is just on contributing to the team and helping us win games. We’ve started well at 2-0, which is great, but it’s a long tournament and there’s a lot of cricket still to be played.(On his role in the batting lineup) My role is to capitalise after the powerplay if I come in and try to control the innings from there. It’s about playing my natural game, managing the situation, and guiding the chase as best as I can.(On adapting to a new team environment) The transition has been smooth. Having a few familiar faces around definitely helps, and the group has been very welcoming. It’s been a good experience getting to know everyone, understanding how they approach the game, and learning from them.(On learning from teammates and bowling plans) I’m still picking up things from different players and looking to add to my game. Hopefully, I’ll get the ball in hand soon and contribute on that front as well. It’s been a bit frustrating not to bowl yet, but I’m looking forward to getting that opportunity."

Ruturaj Gaikwad [Chennai Super Kings captain]: "(On assessing the first-innings total) I felt 209 was a really strong total on this surface. There was some assistance for the fast bowlers early on, and the pitch was gripping a bit for the spinners, with slower balls holding up. Considering the bigger boundaries at this ground, it was definitely a competitive score.(On the impact substitute and bowling combination) We went in with three seamers and two wrist spinners to control the middle overs, which we felt was the right balance. Unfortunately, both the spinners had an off day, and that’s where we probably lost control.(On the bowling performance) It was a mixed effort. There were phases where we executed well, but we couldn’t sustain the pressure. Just when an over was building nicely, we conceded a boundary or a six, which released the pressure. We couldn’t build momentum in the middle overs, and that made a big difference.(On positives despite the result) It’s a tough loss, no doubt, but there are plenty of positives. The batting unit performed really well—Ayush played a brilliant knock, and Shivam also contributed strongly. That gives us a lot of confidence going forward, even though there’s work to be done with the bowling.(On his own batting approach) I felt good out there. It was about adapting to the conditions and the team’s needs. With the pitch gripping a bit and Ayush set at the other end, the plan was to spend some time and then accelerate later. Unfortunately, I got out at the wrong moment."

11:23 PM local time and IST: MATCH SUMMARY

Punjab Kings (210/5 in 18.4 overs) beat Chennai Super Kings (209/5 in 20 overs) by 5 wickets

Shreyas Iyer 50(29) | Vijaykumar Vyshak 2/38(4)
Ayush Mhatre 73(43) | Anshul Kamboj 2/43 (3.4)

9th successful 200+ run chase for Punjab Kings in IPL history, they are well clear of Mumbai Indians who are in next with six of those and they have got the job done with 8 balls to spare. Yes, they have made it look easy yet again and have issued an early statement to the rest of teams even though it is pretty early in the tournament

CSK look a deflated unit, what used to be a fortress for them has been breached yet again and they have now lost two in a row to start their season losing their first home game as well in front of their beloved yellow army. CSK have now lost their last 6 games at the Chepauk, can you believe it?

The start was going to be the key in a chase of 210 and the fireworks from Priyansh Arya at the start made the job easy for the rest of them. An 11-ball 39 in the powerplay for him and he made sure PBKS got off to a blazing start getting to 50 in just 3.2 overs. He got out to Henry in the fifth over but PBKS did get a 68-run powerplay which meant that CSK bowlers were under pressure right from the get go

Cooper Connolly continued his form with the bat with a fluent 36 in the middle and then the mantle was taken over by the skipper Shreyas Iyer who scored an effortless 26-ball fifty combining with Nehal Wadhera to put up a 31-ball 59-run partnership and at no time in this chase did it look like they were under any sort of pressure

CSK were off the boil with the ball, not at their best on the field too. The pacers, as well as the spinners who got some grip, were off with their lines and lengths and made the job easier for the batters. Someone like Matt Henry conceding 54 off his 4 overs, albeit picking up 2 wickets, told you the tale. CSK did get wickets off consecutive balls on the either side of the 17th over but it was too late by then, the finishing touches were applied by Shashank and Stoinis without any fuss

As a result, PBKS have now moved to the top of the points table while CSK are number 10 in the ladder and have plenty of things to worry about

18.4 Anshul Kamboj to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! GAME, SET AND MATCH! What a thumping win this for PBKS! One that boosts their confidence sky high as they hunt down 210 without much fuss. Plenty to ponder for CSK as they lose two in a row. Length delivery on the off-stump, Stoinis slams it back over the bowler's head and seals the game in style.

18.3 Anshul Kamboj to Shashank Singh, WIDE! Short and down the leg-side, Shashank swivels to swipe and misses. Wide signaled! CSK review it as they think Shashank moved inside the line.

UltraEdge comes up, shows no spike as the ball passes the bat. And TV umpire confirms to stay with the decision.

More runs behind point, this plan is surely not working for CSK. Just 8 needed now, surely they will be looking to now finish this in this over itself

18.1 Anshul Kamboj to Shashank Singh, FOUR! Boundary to start the over, excellent result for PBKS. Low full toss, outside the off-stump. Shashank reaches and carved it through backward point for a pivotal four runs.

12 needed from 12, down to a-run-a-ball now. CSK have had a plan in place but it has not gone right for them, the execution has not been consistent enough. PBKS might want to finish this in the 19th over itself