Follow UsChennai Super Kings' losing streak continued in Mullanpur in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Punjab Kings defeated them by 18 runs in a high-scoring encounter as CSK failed to chase yet another target.
Punjab posted a huge total of 219/6 courtesy of a splendid 39-ball hundred by the uncapped Priyansh Arya, who smashed nine sixes and seven fours in his innings. Shashank Singh also played a great assist and scored 52* off 36.
In the chase, CSK were doing decently but were always behind the required run rate. In the end, it proved to be a determining factor in the game. CSK even retired Devon Conway in the 18th over to bring in Ravindra Jadeja, who was batting at 69 off 49 deliveries. However, in the end, despite MS Dhoni’s 27 off just 12 deliveries, CSK fell short by 18 runs.
“He (Conway) is more of a timer of the ball, very useful up the order,” CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad said in the post-match presentation, explaining the rationale behind the retired out.
“When you have Jaddu known for that (finishing) role particularly, you expect that. When you know the batter is struggling…initially he (Conway) was still timing it well. We waited and waited until (he started struggling),” Gaikwad added.
Gaikwad also highlighted how CSK’s poor fielding has been a point of difference and something that the team needs to work on.
“(On the dropped catches) In the last four games, that is the only point of difference,” Gaikwad said.
“It has been very critical. Every time we are dropping the catch, the same batter is adding 20-25-30 runs extra. If you leave out the RCB game, the last three chases, it was a matter of one or two or maybe three hits.”
Despite this being the fourth loss in five games, Gaikwad found some positives in the game and underlined the need to improve in the field.
“Want to take some positives out of it, and we were two or three hits away (from winning),” he said.
“Told the guys we have to enjoy the fielding. If you are nervous, you will drop some catches. If you look to be a standout fielder, the first catch taken, the first boundary saved helps everyone. Batting and bowling, you can have a bad day, but in fielding, that is something we are trying to work on, but right now, it is not happening.”
CSK are currently second last on the points table.