It was the third opening defeat for four-time defending champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 11 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, CSK suffered a 54-run defeat. As CSK lurks at the bottom phase of the points table, social media expressed its disappointment. Winning the toss, CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja opted to bowl, as PBKS was off to an agitated start, losing a couple by the second over of the powerplay, with just 14 runs on the board.

Nevertheless, opener Shikhar Dhawan (33) and Liam Livingstone (60) put on a 95-run stand for the third wicket before the former fell to pacer Dwayne Bravo in the tenth. At this time, Livingstone scored his maiden IPL half-century before falling at 115 in the following over to leg-spinner Jadeja. There was a short 31-run partnership between Jitesh Sharma (26) and Shahrukh Khan (6) before the former fell to pacer Dwayne Pretorius in the 15th. The incoming batters could hardly contribute, and PBKS finished on 180/8. For CSK, pacers Pretorius and Chris Jordan claimed a couple, while the latter was the most economical.

In reply, CSK was off to an ugly start, losing four by the sixth over of the PP at 23. At 36/5, Shivam Dube (57) and MS Dhoni (23) contributed to a 62-run stand for the sixth wicket, while the former brought up his second IPL half-century. However, Dube was dismissed by leg-spinner Livingstone in the 15th. Thereon, it was an utter collapse, as CSK was eventually shot out for 126 within the 18th over, which was only the second time since IPL 2018 that it had been bowled out. Consequently, PBKS comfortably sailed through with a 54-run win. For PBKS, leg-spinner Rahul Chahar was the start, bagging three, while pacer Vaibhav Arora was economical.

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CSK after losing there back to back 3 matches, its hard for them to throughout the season

Eventually, CSK was snuffed out for a mere 126. Dhoni was the last man to fall as R Chahar picked his third scalp. However, the man of the moment for PBKS would be Livingstone. The Lancashire all-rounder played with bravado with a willow in hand and chipped in with two wickets. Vaibhav also made a mark by taking a couple of wickets up front. On the other hand, third straight defeat for CSK. Unfortunately for CSK – The man with the Midas touch for the night – Livingstone – prised out both Dube and D Bravo in a single over to more or less shut the door on CSK’s chances. The Lancashire all-rounder can’t do much wrong today.

Do we have a twist in the tale?? Dube is known for his ability to target the downtown territories. He did just that in the 14th over when he smacked Rabada down the ground for a couple of sixes while facing deliveries that were in the slot. He also reached his fifty off just 26 balls in that over. Odean Smith does hit the deck hard with strong shoulders. Rayudu got a glimpse of it when he was surprised by the kick Odean extracted and gloved it to Jitesh behind the stumps. 38/5 and in dire-straits. It is getting from bad to worse for CSK. Moeen has dragged Vaibhav onto the stumps.

Jadeja also inside-edged one that shattered the timber while facing Arshdeep. 23 for 4 and they are in deep trouble. Meanwhile, Vaibhav does hit the deck hard enough and that gives him some buffer. The ball is also not skidding on today. Apsa 80 perhaps is doing the trick. And the humidity was on the lower side today. Gaikwad’s poor run continues as he gets out to Rabada in the second over after scoring only 1. Gaikwad pushed at a delivery outside off and ended up edging it to Dhawan at slip. Debutant Vaibhav Arora, after being hit for a four by Uthappa, hits back with a wicket as the opener gets a leading edge.