KINGS FAR FROM SUPER
Jadeja’s all-round heroics propel Chennai to 28-run win over Punjab
DHARAMSALA: Ravindra Jadeja orchestrated a masterclass all-round show as Chennai Super Kings regained its winning touch with a comprehensive 28-run win over Punjab Kings in a low-scoring IPL fixture here on Sunday.
Wily leg-spinner Rahul Chahar (3/23) and seamer Harshal Patel (3/24) put up a spirited show but Jadeja made a crucial 43 that came off just 26 balls to prop CSK to a par 167/9 after it was sent in to bat by Sam Curran.
The left-arm spinner then returned to grab three for 20 in four overs in the crucial middle-over phase to derail PBKS’ chase, which ended at 139 for nine.
Comeback pacer Tushar Deshpande (2/35) and impact sub Simarjeet Singh (2/16) also featured among wickets.
Mitchell Santner, who was playing his first match of the season, was brilliant during his tidy 1/10 from three overs. Eyeing to secure a sixth successive win over CSK in the IPL, PBKS found itself at 78 for seven against Jadeja’s
match-turning spell.
Kiwi left-arm spinner Santner set it up early for CSK. Bowling with the new ball, he gave away just four runs from his two overs and took the key wicket of Shashank Singh (27; 20b,
4x4) against the run of play.
Deshpande inflicted a twin blow, cleaning up Jonny Bairstow (7) and Rilee Rossouw (0) in three balls.
PBKS found some rhythm going as Prabhsimran Singh and the in-form Shashank took the attack to CSK bowlers and collected 31 runs to end the power play on a high.
Prabhsimran smashed Richard Gleeson for one four and a six in a 15run over, while Prabhsimran took on Deshpande, smacking him for two fours and one six.
It seemed a one-way traffic for the home side before Santner cleverly varied his pace as Shashank holed out to long-on.
Earlier, at 60/1 in Power Play, CSK was going great guns with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (32) and Daryl Mitchell in the middle during an entertaining 57-run partnership when Chahar triggered a collapse taking two wickets in two balls.
The partnership was halted as CSK went on to lose three wickets in 11 balls with Harshal taking the dangerous-looking Mitchell (30; 19b, 2x4, 1x6) in a controversial DRS call.
BRIEF SCORES: CSK 167/9 in 20 overs (R Jadeja 43, R Chahar 3/23, H Patel 3/24) bt Punjab Kings 139/9 in 20 overs (R Jadeja 3/20)
Pathirana returns to Sri Lanka, likely to miss rest of season
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) might face a big blow as its star pacer Matheesha Pathirana is likely to miss out on the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further recovery.
“Chennai Super Kings pacer Matheesha Pathirana is nursing a hamstring injury and will be returning to Sri Lanka for further recovery,” stated a media release from CSK.
The news comes at a time when the CSK has already been reeling under a severe shortage of bowlers with Deepak Chahar sustaining an injury after bowling just two deliveries in the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at home. On the other hand, Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, who had an amazing stint with the ball, and is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, had to go back home due to national duties.
The Sri Lankan pacer has played six matches for the team this season and has clinched 13 wickets with an economy rate of 7.68. He was also adjourned player of the match against Mumbai Indians for his spell of 4/28.