| 0.0 : .... Match Day .... |
| One team has got the ice cream and wants a cherry on the top while the other team is still struggling to get hold of the ice cream. That's the situation of Chennai (eyeing the top 2 finish) and Punjab (hoping for a backdoor entry to the playoffs) currently on the table of the 2021 Indian T20 League. To be inconsistent has become second nature to Punjab and the UAE leg has been no different. For Chennai, they seem to have taken their foot off the pedal slightly in the last two games. It's hard to |
| Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa is down there inspecting the conditions. The Zimbabwean starts by informing the obvious - It's very hot! He shares that they are using pitch number 3 for this encounter, which means they are moving away from the centre - 60m boundary on one side and 73m on the other. The batters will have to smartly pick their areas for the big shots. Batters will enjoy this, reckons Pommie. |
| Toss - MS Dhoni and KL Rahul are in the middle. The former flips the coin, Rahul calls Heads and it has come down as Heads. PUNJAB ELECT TO FIELD! |
| KL Rahul, the captain of Punjab, says that they are bowling first as that will allow them to know the target. Adds that the middle order has tried its best but has not delivered at times and it has not been able to soak the pressure. Tells that they are a talented bunch of players and as a young group, this is something they can learn and improve on. Informs that Chris Jordan is replacing Nicholas Pooran in the XI. |
| MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai, says that it's tough to maintain fitness but it looks good and there are no concerns as such. Informs that they are playing the same XI as the wicket looks good and heat is a factor and they would have batted first anyway. On playing for Chennai next season, Dhoni smiles and says that we will see him in yellow, playing or not, he is not sure, as there are a lot of uncertainties coming up, two new teams are coming and they don't know the retention policy. Hope |
| Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Chris Jordan (In for Nicholas Pooran), Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi. |
| Chennai (Unchanged Playing XI) -Â Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood. |
| We are set for the game to begin! The players of Punjab are in a huddle before dispersing on the field! Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis are the opening batters for Chennai who are at the crease! Mohammed Shami to start the proceedings with the ball. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai are away straightaway! Shami starts with a delivery that is a little too straight in line, on a length and angling down, Ruturaj Gaikwad clips it off his pads to deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 0.2 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, Du Plessis also opens his account immediately. Fuller and on middle, Faf bunts it down in front of mid on and scampers across to the other end. |
| 0.3 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Lands it on a length close to off, shaping in a bit, Ruturaj Gaikwad tries to defend close to his body but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 0.4 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Again an inside edge. Shami goes fuller and serves it on off, Gaikwad looks to defend but it takes the inside edge. The ball deflects off his pads to covers. |
| 0.5 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Unconvincing from Ruturaj Gaikwad. Short and around middle, Gaikwad walks down to work it away but fails to middle his shot. The ball kisses the gloves and falls safely behind square leg. They cross. |
| 0.6 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, Full and on middle, angling in, du Plessis gets behind the line and blocks it safely. 3 from the first over! |
| 1.1 : Harpreet Brar to Ruturaj Gaikwad, FOUR! Straightaway Ruturaj Gaikwad is on the attack. Full and flighted on middle, Gaikwad skips down the track and smashes it over wide mid on. Chris Jordan gives the chase, tries his best to pull it back but fails to do so cleanly. The ball has touched the fence. |
| 1.2 : Harpreet Brar to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Short in length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad steps back to cut but finds the point fielder. Either side of that fielder and that would have been a boundary. They cross. |
| 1.3 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Fires in a quicker one, on middle and leg, angling down, du Plessis fails to keep it out and is hit on the pads. |
| 1.4 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Two wides! Another one skidding down the leg side, the latter fails to work it around and the keeper also fumbles. Ruturaj Gaikwad calls his partner for a run. |
| Harpreet Brar to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Aerial but safe! Flatter and fuller around middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad top-edges his attempted sweep shot. The ball loops in the air but doesn't carry to short fine leg. |
| 1.5 : Harpreet Brar to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Flatter and on the pads, tucked behind square leg for a single. |
| 1.6 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Quicker and fuller on off, Faf du Plessis walks forward and drives but finds the extra cover fielder. A good comeback by Brar. |
| 2.1 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Slightly short and around off, angling in, Gaikwad defends it from the back foot to point. |
| 0.0 : Harpreet Brar will bowl from the other end. |
| 2.2 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shortish and on off, Gaikwad pushes it with an angled bat to backward point. |
| 2.3 : Mohammed Shami to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Around middle and leg, on a length, it's easily worked around the corner for a single at square leg. |
| 2.4 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, Play and a miss! Faf du Plessis tries to be adventurous but fails to execute his shot. On a length and outside off at 133 clicks, Faf shuffles across for the paddle scoop but it beats his bat. |
| 2.5 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, A 139.6 kph yorker around off, Faf du Plessis digs it out back to the bowler. |
| 2.6 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, Streaky! Shami delivers it on a length around off, du Plessis clears his front leg to heave it over the leg side but only manages an outside edge. It goes to third man and they take a run. 3 good overs from Punjab! |
| 3.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Back of a length around middle and off, du Plessis stands across inside the crease and tickles it behind square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Arshdeep Singh comes into the attack now. He replaces Harpreet Brar. |
| 3.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Ruturaj Gaikwad, This one is served around middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it wide of short fine leg and takes a couple of runs. |
| 3.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Gaikwad taps it down in front of point and takes a single. |
| 3.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Faf uses his feet for this delivery. The length is short and the line is on middle and off, du Plessis mistimes his shot to mid off for a single. |
| 3.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Ruturaj Gaikwad, OUT! Gaikwad has been bounced out yet again! Arshdeep provides Punjab with the first breakthrough. Digs in a short delivery, around off and climbing onto the batsman at 131 clicks, Ruturaj Gaikwad tries to pull but it takes the top edge and flies to mid-wicket. Shahrukh Khan is waiting there with open arms. He catches it with ease and Chennai lose their first wicket. |
| Moeen Ali walks out to bat. |
| 3.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, A touch short and close to off, angling away from the batsman, du Plessis plays late and guides it towards short third man. Mayank Agarwal makes a diving stop and prevents a boundary. A single to end a successful over for Arshdeep Singh. |
| 4.1 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, Shortish and on middle, Faf du Plessis uses his wrists to work it towards square leg. It's straight towards the fielder but they still cross for a risky run. |
| 4.2 : Mohammed Shami to Moeen Ali, Around off on a length, Moeen stays on the back foot and defends it down on the surface. |
| 4.3 : Mohammed Shami to Moeen Ali, Moeen gets hurried up! Shami bangs it in short, around off, Ali mistimes his pull shot in the air. Luckily for him, the ball doesn't carry to mid on. |
| 4.4 : Mohammed Shami to Moeen Ali, Back of a length around off, at 138.4 kph, Moeen defends it from the back foot to extra cover. |
| 4.5 : Mohammed Shami to Moeen Ali, A bit uppish. Full in length around off, angling away, Moeen drives it on the up but fails to find the gap. It goes rolling to extra cover. |
| 4.6 : Mohammed Shami to Moeen Ali, Slower one, on middle and off at 119.4 kph, Moeen plays late and taps it down to point. Superb over. |
| 5.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Glorious! Fuller in length, around middle and off, du Plessis stays leg-side of this delivery and crunches it down the ground through mid off for a boundary. |
| 5.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Faf du Plessis has started to motor along now. Arshdeep responds with a short delivery after getting hit for a boundary on the last ball, Faf du Plessis anticipates it well and pulls it powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 5.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Arshdeep switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a full ball on off, Faf du Plessis pushes it to covers and takes a single. |
| 0.0 : There is a slight halt in play as Faf du Plessis is having an issue with the sightscreen! It is sorted now and we are good to go! |
| 5.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Moeen Ali, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Well bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Perfect line and length from him, just around off with a lovely seam presentation. He clocks 133.5 kph and gets it to move away a bit too with some extra bounce. Moeen stands back and probably tries to play late to explore the third man region. But all he manages is an outside edge to the keeper. KL Rahul grabs it safely and Chennai are two down inside the Powerplay. |
| 5.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, On a length around off, at 130.5 kph, Robin Uthappa plays it down from the crease to point. |
| 5.4 : Robin Uthappa is the new man in. |
| 5.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Robin Uthappa, Identical to the last delivery, this time Robin Uthappa guides it down to third man for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Chennai are 30/2. |
| 6.1 : Chris Jordan to Robin Uthappa, Good start by Jordan! Back of a length, outside off, Robin Uthappa pokes at it tentatively and the ball just misses the outside edge of his blade on its way to the keeper. |
| 0.0 : Chris Jordan comes to bowl. |
| 6.2 : Chris Jordan to Robin Uthappa, Length ball, on the stumps, Robin Uthappa works it towards the long on fielder for a single. |
| 6.3 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, On a length, outside off, Faf du Plessis guides it towards point for a single. |
| 6.4 : Chris Jordan to Robin Uthappa, Back of a length, on middle, Robin Uthappa pushes it off the back foot towards the mid on area. DOT BALL! |
| 6.5 : Chris Jordan to Robin Uthappa, OUT! Chris Jordan strikes in his first over! Short and wide around off, Robin Uthappa goes for the pull shot but miscues it. Gets a top edge as the ball flies towards the deep mid-wicket region and Harpreet Brar runs across to his left in the deep to complete a great tumbling catch. Chennai are now three down and in trouble. |
| 6.6 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, Back of a length, jagging back in sharply from middle. Faf du Plessis taps it to backward point and collects a single. Just 3 runs and a wicket off this over! |
| Ambati Rayudu is in next. |
| 7.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Bishnoi tosses this one up, outside off. Faf du Plessis stays back and taps it past point to take a run. |
| 7.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Ambati Rayudu, A googly, landing on leg and turning sharply. Ambati Rayudu misses his tickle to fine leg and Punjab appeal. KL Rahul thinks he has got his man here but the umpire is unmoved. Not called a wide and Ambati Rayudu is not happy. |
| 7.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Ambati Rayudu, Flatter ball, outside off. Ambati Rayudu cuts it to deep point for a single. |
| 7.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Quicker ball, on a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis cuts it towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 7.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Ambati Rayudu, Floated, around off. Ambati Rayudu presses forward and taps it to the right of the backward point fielder for one. |
| 7.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Wide! Full and too wide, outside off. Faf du Plessis leaves it alone. Wide called by the umpire. |
| Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Tossed up, on middle and leg. Faf du Plessis works it to deep mid-wicket to collect a run and he will keep the strike for the next over. |
| 8.1 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, Length ball, wide, outside off, Faf du Plessis cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 8.2 : Chris Jordan to Ambati Rayudu, Almost chopped on there! On a length, nipping into Ambati Rayudu who looks to cut but gets an inside edge just away from the off stump towards the fine leg area for a couple. |
| 8.3 : Chris Jordan to Ambati Rayudu, OUT! Another good running catch in the deep! Jordan has two in the match now. The Englishman bowls it short and around off, at 138.3 kph, Rayudu steps back and forward to slap it over the infield on the off side. He doesn't get it from the middle of the bat and it flies to deep point. Arshdeep Singh sprints across to his left and takes a fantastic catch. Rayudu returns and Chennai are four down now. |
| Strategic Time-Out! Punjab are all over Chennai at the moment. They have removed the cream of their batting and have them on the mat. Can Punjab keep the upper hand? Here comes MS Dhoni to partner du Plessis.  |
| 8.4 : Chris Jordan to MS Dhoni, Back of a length, outside off, MS Dhoni guides it towards the third man region for a single. He is off the mark! |
| 8.5 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, WIDE! Chris Jordan drags it down the leg side. Faf du Plessis leaves it alone as the ball goes away to the keeper. |
| Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, Shout for a caught behind! Not given. Length ball, outside off, Faf du Plessis looks to cut it but the ball misses his blade by just a whisker. KL Rahul collects and they appeal unsuccessfully. Punjab are thinking about the review as there's some noise but decide otherwise. Nothing on the UltraEdge. |
| 8.6 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, On a length, on middle, Faf du Plessis works it towards the mid-wicket region. DOT BALL AGAIN! |
| 9.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, FOUR! Punished by MS Dhoni! A juicy full toss, outside off. Dhoni skips down and hits it past the point fielder for a boundary. |
| 9.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, Well bowled! Bishnoi sees Dhoni advancing down the track, he drags his length back, on off. MS Dhoni blocks it out. |
| 9.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, BEATEN! Flatter ball, turning away sharply after landing, outside off. MS Dhoni presses forward to block but the ball zips past his outside edge. |
| 9.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, Tossed up, outside off. MS Dhoni drives it through covers to collect a single. |
| 9.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Nicely done! A half-tracker, outside off. Faf du Plessis stays back and cuts it hard past the sweeper cover for a boundary. |
| 9.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Fuller in length, around off. Faf du Plessis digs it out back to the bowler. |
| 10.1 : Harpreet Brar to MS Dhoni, Fuller, outside off, MS Dhoni drives it to the cover fielder in the ring. |
| 10.2 : Harpreet Brar to MS Dhoni, Flatter, on the pads, MS Dhoni looks to work it away towards the on side but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 10.3 : Harpreet Brar to MS Dhoni, Shorter length, on off, MS Dhoni skips down the track and looks to defend it. He does but not convincingly. |
| 10.4 : Harpreet Brar to MS Dhoni, Fuller, outside off, MS Dhoni pushes it towards the off side. Another dot ball! |
| 10.5 : Harpreet Brar to MS Dhoni, Flatter ball, shorter, MS Dhoni works it towards the mid-wicket area for a single. |
| 10.6 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Wide! Skidding down the leg side, Faf du Plessis tries to flick but misses. |
| Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Full and around off, pushed back towards the bowler who made a diving stop. |
| 11.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, FOUR! MS Dhoni means business! Tossed up, outside off. Dhoni reaches out and smacks it over covers. The ball goes into the fence, on the bounce! |
| 11.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, Flatter ball, outside off. MS Dhoni guides it behind square on the off side. |
| 11.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, Flatter and quicker, around middle. MS Dhoni blocks it out. |
| 11.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, Tossed up, around off. MS Dhoni drills it down the ground for a single. |
| 11.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Loopy ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis slaps it to long off to rotate the strike. |
| 11.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to MS Dhoni, OUT! BOWLED! It is that man again, Ravi Bishnoi! And he gets the big fish this time! He bowls a googly that lands outside off, on a length. MS Dhoni reaches out and looks to have a slash at it but it takes the inside edge and the ball crashes onto his stumps. Excellent bowling from the young lad and Chennai are in deep, deep trouble now! |
| 12.1 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Short in length and outside off, Faf cuts it through point and returns for the second run. |
| 0.0 : In walks Ravindra Jadeja. |
| 12.2 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Flatter and shorter, punched to covers where the fielder fumbled and they crossed. |
| 12.3 : Harpreet Brar to Ravindra Jadeja, Quicker one, flat and short outside off, Ravindra Jadeja stays back and pushes it out to the off side. |
| 12.4 : Harpreet Brar to Ravindra Jadeja, Gets behind the line of the delivery and helps it to the leg side. Harpreet Brar stops it to his left. |
| 12.5 : Harpreet Brar to Ravindra Jadeja, Flatter on off, forced down towards mid off for a quick run. |
| 12.6 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Loopy and full on middle, Faf du Plessis works it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 13.1 : Moises Henriques to Faf du Plessis, Length ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis drives hard but finds the extra cover fielder. |
| 0.0 : Moises Henriques comes into the attack. |
| 13.2 : Moises Henriques to Faf du Plessis, Wide! Henriques spills this one down leg. Faf du Plessis misses his flick and KL Rahul fumbles behind the sticks. No harm done though! |
| Moises Henriques to Faf du Plessis, Back of a length, around off. Faf du Plessis hangs back and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.3 : Moises Henriques to Ravindra Jadeja, A full toss, outside off. Ravindra Jadeja pushes it to mid off and scampers through for a single. Chris Jordan collects the ball cleanly but he misses his shy at the non-striker's end. |
| 13.4 : Moises Henriques to Faf du Plessis, Short of a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis cuts it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 13.5 : Moises Henriques to Ravindra Jadeja, FOUR! Clever batting this, from Ravindra Jadeja! Henriques serves a short ball, outside off. Jadeja hangs back and guides it past Mohammed Shami at short third man for a boundary. |
| 13.6 : Moises Henriques to Ravindra Jadeja, Good-length ball, on leg. Jadeja tucks it to square leg for a run. 9 runs off the over! |
| 14.1 : Harpreet Brar to Ravindra Jadeja, Shortish around leg, Jadeja nudges it to short fine leg, finds the fielder. Good call from Faf to turn down the single. |
| 14.2 : Harpreet Brar to Ravindra Jadeja, Fuller and on middle, tickled to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 14.3 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Fine shot! Harpreet Brar drags his length short and delivers it on middle, du Plessis rocks back and pulls it powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence. He holds the key for Chennai! |
| 14.4 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Fires it flat and full on middle, Faf drills it down to long on for a single. |
| 14.5 : Harpreet Brar to Ravindra Jadeja, Quicker and on middle, Jadeja eases it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike. |
| 14.6 : Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis, Flatter arm ball on off, du Plessis steps back to cut but is cramped up for room. It rolls back to the bowler. 4-0-22-0, Harpreet Brar is done. |
| 15.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Ravindra Jadeja, Flatter ball, attacking the stumps, Jadeja has his bat down in time as he keeps it out in the gap at square leg. They cross. |
| 15.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Flighted and full on off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 0.0 : Ravi Bishnoi (3-0-21-1) comes back into the attack. |
| 15.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Loopy and full on middle, du Plessis flicks it with gentle hands to deep mid-wicket and collects a couple. |
| 15.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Play and a miss! Tossed up, around off and spinning away, du Plessis aims for an inside-out shot but misses. |
| 15.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Faf du Plessis, Flatter and on middle, du Plessis goes deep inside the crease and helps it behind square leg. They cross. |
| 15.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Ravindra Jadeja, Floated delivery, wide outside off, Jadeja tries to cut but misses. Ravi Bishnoi is also done with his four overs, 1/25. |
| Strategic Time-Out! Punjab are bossing this game going into the death overs and Chennai would be hoping that the batters at the crease take them deep and finish on a high! How much more will Chennai add to their total? Exciting last 4 overs coming up! Also, Arshdeep Singh (2-0-16-2) comes into the attack. |
| 16.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Slightly short in length on off, angling away, du Plessis keeps his weight on the back foot and forces it towards sweeper cover for a run. |
| 16.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Ravindra Jadeja, On a length and angling into the left-hander, Jadeja moves back and plays it with soft hands towards mid on. He runs the first run hard as Arshdeep goes after the ball. The second run is turned down by du Plessis. |
| 16.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Wide! Arshdeep Singh alters his length to go short but it's way too over the head of the batter. Called a wide. |
| Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Streaky. They all count in the end overs. Singh fires across a length delivery outside off, Faf du Plessis clears his front leg for a big heave-ho over the leg side but edges it over short third man. |
| 16.4 : Faf du Plessis is eyeing his fifty here. Chennai would be hoping that he lasts the distance. |
| Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Put down! Slower one, on a length around off, Faf du Plessis goes hard at it but it takes the inside part and lobs back to the bowler. Arshdeep Singh fails to catch it in his followthrough. |
| 16.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Fuller and outside off, Faf lofts it over covers and bags a couple of runs. |
| 16.3 : There is a slight halt in play as Faf du Plessis opts for a new pair of gloves! |
| 16.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, A full toss around off, hit down the ground over mid on. A single to close the over, 10 from it. |
| 17.1 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, Jordan begins his spell with a short ball around off, Faf du Plessis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : Chris Jordan (2-0-8-2) comes back to bowl. |
| 17.2 : Chris Jordan to Ravindra Jadeja, Fractionally short and on off, at 113.5 kph, Ravindra Jadeja hangs on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. He also gets a single. |
| 17.3 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, A low full toss around off, at 142 kph, du Plessis pushes it out to mid off for a run. FIFTY FOR DU PLESSIS! Can he finish it well for Chennai? |
| 17.4 : Chris Jordan to Ravindra Jadeja, Shortish and on off, Jadeja hammers it from the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single. 100 up! |
| 17.5 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Chennai! Short in length around off, at 123.2 kph, du Plessis stays back and pulls it powerfully in front of square leg for a boundary. |
| 17.6 : Chris Jordan to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! What a shot! A very full delivery, around off, Faf du Plessis gets low and bludgeons it back past the bowler for a boundary down the ground. 12 from this over! |
| 18.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Ravindra Jadeja, Fuller in length and outside off, Jadeja drives it to deep cover for a single. |
| 0.0 : Arshdeep Singh will bowl the penultimate over of the innings. |
| 18.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Swing and a miss! Arshdeep Singh digs it in short and around off, angling away at 130.6 kph, Faf du Plessis tries to pull but misses. |
| 18.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, A yorker-length delivery, around off, du Plessis squeezes it out through cover-point for a single. |
| Review time! KL Rahul has opted for a review as Ravindra Jadeja has been struck low on his pads. |
| 18.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Ravindra Jadeja, NOT OUT! Arshdeep fires in a full toss, around middle and leg, Jadeja tries to whip it across the line but misses. He is thudded on the back leg and the ball rolls behind. The bowler is appealing and the batters cross. The umpire shows no interest and KL Rahul takes a late decision to refer it. Ball Tracker shows that it's clipping the leg stump. Umpire's call. The 50-run stand comes up. |
| 18.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, SIX! Nailed it! Arshdeep misses his mark and delivers right in the slot for the batter, Faf du Plessis clears his front leg and muscles it over long on for a maximum. |
| 18.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Faf du Plessis, Full and outside off, Faf keeps it out to covers for a single. |
| 19.1 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Time to attack! Short in length, around off, Faf du Plessis rocks back and hammer-pulls it to the deep mid-wicket fence. |
| 18.6 : Mohammed Shami (3-0-6-0) comes back to bowl the last over of the innings. |
| 19.2 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, SIX! Faf du Plessis is providing a rollicking finish to Chennai. Back of a length, outside off, du Plessis clears his front leg, opens his arms and powers it over long on. The ball lands flush on the rope. |
| 19.3 : Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis, OUT! Shami gets rid of Faf du Plessis. It's short and around off at 142 kph, du Plessis tries to pull but only manages a top edge. It flies behind and KL Rahul runs forward to his left to complete the catch. End of a fabulous knock and could prove to be the match-winning one. |
| Dwayne Bravo walks out to bat. |
| 19.4 : Mohammed Shami to Ravindra Jadeja, Very full and outside off, Jadeja whips it in front of square leg for a single. |
| 19.5 : Mohammed Shami to Dwayne Bravo, Wide! Attempted slower one from Shami but he has delivered it way wide outside off, Bravo allows it through. |
| Mohammed Shami to Dwayne Bravo, FOUR! The birthday boy scores a boundary. A low full toss outside off, Bravo lifts it cleanly over covers for a boundary. |
| 19.6 : Mohammed Shami to Dwayne Bravo, Dot to end proceedings. Short and around off, Bravo aims to pull but fails to connect. Chennai finish on 134/6. |
| Good recovery towards the end from Chennai. 48 runs in the last 4 overs and Chennai have posted a total that could be tricky to chase down on this sluggish surface. |
| Having opted to bowl first, it was a fantastic bowling effort from Punjab and they would be delighted to have restricted Chennai to a score that is below par. Chennai's innings never really got going but they have finished well, courtesy of some clean ball striking by Faf du Plessis at the fag end of the innings. |
| Chennai did not start well with the bat as they lost their in-form batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad early on in the innings. Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu fell cheaply and Chennai were in a spot of bother at 42-4. Faf du Plessis hung in there but he too was finding it hard to time the ball. MS Dhoni came out with intent but he too perished after hitting a couple of boundaries. It was Faf du Plessis who took the attack to the opposition at the fag end and that helped his team to post a compet |
| Punjab were excellent with the ball and they justified their skipper's decision of bowling first. Mohammed Shami was brilliant in the Powerplay as he conceded just 6 runs from his first 3 overs and that set the tone for the bowlers to follow. Arshdeep Singh and Chris Jordan got 2 wickets apiece. Ravi Bishnoi took the big wicket of MS Dhoni and Chennai slipped even further. All in all, it was a very good bowling effort and KL Rahul would be pleased with the way his boys have fared, especially in |
| Chris Jordan comes up for a quick chat. He says that the conditions are very hot and they have done a very good job to restrict Chennai to 134. Tells that they would have taken this total at the beginning of the innings. Feels that everyone did a good job for the team. Mentions that he felt in a good rhythm. Mentions that bowling short to the Chennai batters worked for them. |
| Right then! Punjab have to get 135 runs from 20 overs! But hang on, if they are to go past Kolkata in the points table, they have to chase it down in just 17 balls, which is impossible. The pitch isn't that easy to bat on and Punjab's batters need to plan their chase cleverly and go hard in the Powerplay. Do join us for the chase then which begins shortly. |
| ....THE RUN CHASE.... |
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