Despite Sam Curran’s valiant 88 and a solid partnership with Brevis, CSK fell short as Punjab Kings clinched a four-wicket win at Chepauk; Dhoni admits total was below par.
Chennai, May 1:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) slumped to their eighth defeat of the IPL 2025 season on Wednesday, going down to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by four wickets in a tense contest at Chepauk. While the Yellow Army finally managed to post a respectable total of 190, skipper MS Dhoni admitted after the match that the score was “slightly short of par.”
Speaking to the media post-game, Dhoni credited Sam Curran and Dewald Brevis for resurrecting the innings after an early collapse, but rued the missed chances in the field and the lack of finishing firepower.
“I think the batting, yes, it was the first time we put enough runs on the board, but I feel it was slightly short of a par score,” said Dhoni. “The partnership between Curran and Brevis was fantastic. I think we need to take our catches.”
Curran was the standout performer for CSK, blasting a career-best 88 off 47 deliveries, with nine fours and four sixes. Alongside him, Brevis chipped in with a handy 32, adding 78 runs for the fourth wicket. Despite that momentum, CSK was bowled out for 190, undone by a game-changing hat-trick from Yuzvendra Chahal (4/32).
Dhoni praised Brevis for his approach, saying, “He brings energy in the field and is not caught up in the pressure spiral. He can be a real asset going forward.”
In reply, PBKS chased down the target with two balls to spare. Prabhsimran Singh (54 off 36) and Shreyas Iyer (72 off 41) laid the foundation with a crucial 72-run partnership after a rapid 44-run opening stand. Despite a late wobble, PBKS got over the line at 194/6.
CSK bowlers Khaleel Ahmed (2/28) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) delivered key breakthroughs but couldn’t contain Punjab’s aggressive batting in the death overs.
The result lifts PBKS to second place on the points table with 13 points, while CSK remains anchored at the bottom with just two wins in ten games, leaving their playoff hopes in tatters.