New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered their fourth straight defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after an 18-run loss against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. CSK batters struggled in a run chase once again as they failed to overhaul the target of 220 runs against Punjab Kings.
Despite a strong start from openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, CSK failed to capitalise and fell short in the chase. Conway scored an unbeaten 69 off 49 balls and was retired out in the 18th over after failing to up the ante despite the required run rate getting out of CSK’s reach. Conway retired during the 18th over of CSK’s innings when they needed 49 to win off 13 balls.
The well set Kiwi opener was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja. However, the move didn’t work in CSK’s favour as they could only manage 30 off the next 13 balls to lose the game by 18 runs. Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke criticised CSK’s decision to retire Conway at a crucial stage and said he failed to understand the decision taken by the team management.
“I didn’t understand that decision, you retire a player that was on 69 and had spent that much time in the middle. I know you need sixes, but it’s not like Conway can’t hit sixes. That’s the thing with decisions like that as a captain, it’s always judged if you win or lose,” Clarke said on Star Sports.
Jadeja, who replaced Conway during the chase, could only score 9 runs off 5 balls and failed to land the big hits himself. MS Dhoni once again flexed his muscles and showcased he still has the power to disptahc bowlers en route to his cameo of 12-ball 27, but he failed to take his team home in yet another tricky chase.
Clarke also spoke about Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer’s decision not to utilise senior spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the game. Chahal was brought into the attack in the 17th over when Dhoni came out to bat. The leg spinner did his job by conceding only 9 runs off the over. He bowled only one over in the game and remained wicketless.
“Chahal bowled the 16th over, the number one wicket taker in the IPL doesn’t get into the game until the 16th over. If Punjab Kings lose, that’s judged hard. You win, it’s not spoken about. So that’s the way the game goes, and that’s the risk you take as a captain. You’ve got to go with your guts and you’ve got to back yourself every time,” Clarke explained.
Priyansh Arya shines for Punjab Kings
Young opener Priyansh Arya shone for Punjab Kings in the game as the dashing left-hander slammed a sensational knock of 103 runs off just 42 balls laced with 9 sixes and 7 fours. Despite PBKS losing wickets from the other end, Priyansh batted with a fearless approach and took CSK bowlers to the cleaners to propel Punjab Kings to a strong total of 219 runs in 20 overs.
The hosts rode on his brilliant knock to beat CSK by 18 runs in the game and bag their third win of the season in just four matches.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke slammed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for retiring a well set Devon Conway during their run-chase against Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 on Tuesday. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
