Chennai Super Kings’ campaign ends in heartbreak as Punjab Kings survive last-over drama

A Close Finish with High Drama

Punjab Kings (PBKS) managed to win a nail-biter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), but not without giving fans a mini heart attack. Chasing a target of 191, PBKS lost two quick wickets and took 10 balls just to get the final six runs. In the end, they pulled it off—officially knocking CSK out of the race for the IPL 2025 playoffs.

PBKS in Control, But Late Wobble

Punjab looked steady for most of their chase. Prabhsimran Singh gave them a strong start with a quick fifty, followed by another half-century from skipper Shreyas Iyer. Together, they added 72 runs for the second wicket, making the chase look easy. Even though Khaleel Ahmed removed Priyansh Arya early, PBKS stayed on track. The late stutter didn’t cost them the match—but it did add some tension.

Chahal’s Hat-Trick Saves the Day for CSK... Almost

Yuzvendra Chahal delivered magic in the 19th over of the first innings, grabbing a stunning hat-trick and finishing with four wickets. His efforts prevented CSK from crossing the 200-run mark. Despite the late collapse, CSK still managed a competitive total of 190, thanks to a fiery knock from Sam Curran.

Sam Curran’s Heroic Knock

Sam Curran stepped up when CSK needed him the most. With CSK struggling at 48/3 after the powerplay, he teamed up with Dewald Brevis to stitch a vital 78-run partnership. Curran hit his half-century in just 30 balls and kept the scoreboard ticking, helping his side post a respectable total.

CSK's Playoff Hopes Dashed

This loss means curtains for CSK’s playoff journey. The five-time champions are officially out of contention, becoming the first team to be eliminated this season. It’s a tough pill to swallow for one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.

Where Things Went Wrong for CSK

CSK’s troubles began right from the auction table. Despite reviving the careers of Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube in the past, this season they failed to build a strong core of young players. The experiment of opening with Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Rahul Tripathi didn’t work consistently.

In a late move, they handed debuts to young talents like Ayush Mhatre (17), Shaik Rasheed (20), and Dewald Brevis (22), but it may have come too late to turn things around.

Acknowledging the Gaps

Batting coach Mike Hussey admitted that CSK needs to focus more on scouting young talent. “We’ve started bringing players into training camps to assess them early, especially before auctions,” he said. CSK may now go back to the drawing board and rethink their approach to team building.

Match Highlights: CSK vs PBKS, IPL 2025

• Shreyas Iyer: 50 off 32 balls
   
• Prabhsimran Singh: 50 off 31 balls
   
• PBKS: 51/1 after Powerplay
   
• CSK: 190 all out in 19.2 overs
   
• Yuzvendra Chahal: Hat-trick in the 19th over (4 wickets total)
   
• Sam Curran: 50+ off 30 balls
   
• CSK: 48/3 in Powerplay
   
• CSK openers (Shaik Rasheed & Ayush Mhatre) out within first 4 overs
   
• PBKS won the toss and chose to bowl
   

Final Word:
CSK gave it their all, but the lack of early planning and weak execution cost them dearly. PBKS, on the other hand, continue their strong run—though they’d hope for fewer hiccups the next time they’re closing a game.

CSK fans, hold on—maybe next year will be your comeback story.