The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and one of the most thrilling encounters was the clash between Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Match Scorecard in Match 49, held on April 30, 2025, at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This match was a high-stakes battle, with CSK fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive and PBKS aiming to solidify their position in the top four. The result? A nail-biting finish that saw Punjab Kings emerge victorious by 4 wickets, knocking CSK out of the tournament. Let’s dive into the details of this exciting match, complete with a full scorecard, key moments, and what it meant for both teams.
A Tale of Two Teams
Chennai Super Kings, led by the legendary MS Dhoni, have been a powerhouse in the IPL with five titles to their name. However, the 2025 season was a tough one for the Men in Yellow. Struggling with injuries, inconsistent form, and a surprising inability to dominate at their home ground, Chepauk, CSK were on the brink of elimination. With only two wins from nine games before this match, they needed a miracle to stay in the playoff race.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings, captained by Shreyas Iyer, were in better shape. With five wins and a strong batting lineup featuring young stars like Priyansh Arya and experienced players like Iyer himself, PBKS were determined to climb the points table. Their earlier encounter with CSK in Match 22 on April 8, 2025, saw them post a massive 219/6, thanks to Arya’s explosive century. Could they repeat that magic at Chepauk? Let’s break down the match.
The Toss and Pitch Report
The match began with Punjab Kings winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision influenced by the pitch conditions at Chepauk. The pitch was described as dry with no grass, favoring spinners as the ball aged. Boundaries were relatively short—75 and 72 meters on either side, with an 80-meter straight boundary. Experts Graeme Swann and Aaron Finch noted that the pitch would likely assist spinners later, making it crucial for batters to capitalize early when the ball was hard and skidding.
CSK, batting first, aimed to set a challenging total, while PBKS planned to restrict them and chase under the lights, hoping to avoid the dew factor that had been less significant due to a breeze in Chennai.
Chennai Super Kings Innings: Sam Curran’s Heroics and Chahal’s Hat-Trick
CSK’s batting lineup featured young talents like Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre, alongside seasoned players like Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni. However, their innings got off to a shaky start.
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Early Setbacks: CSK lost Shaik Rasheed (11 off 12) and Ayush Mhatre (7 off 6) early, leaving them at 22/2 after 3.1 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen struck for PBKS, putting pressure on the CSK middle order.
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Curran and Brevis Fight Back: Sam Curran (88 off 47, 9 fours, 4 sixes) and Dewald Brevis (32 off 26) steadied the ship with a 78-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Curran was in scintillating form, smashing 26 runs off a single over from Suryansh Shedge. By the strategic timeout at 14 overs, CSK were 126/3, with Curran on 49 and Brevis on 32.
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Middle Overs Momentum: Curran continued his aggressive approach, reaching his fifty and pushing CSK towards a big total. However, Brevis fell to Azmatullah Omarzai, and CSK were 126/4 in 14.1 overs.
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Chahal’s Game-Changing Over: Just when CSK seemed set to cross 200, Yuzvendra Chahal turned the game on its head. In the 19th over, he took a hat-trick, dismissing Deepak Hooda (2 off 2), Anshul Kamboj (0 off 1), and Noor Ahmad (0 off 1). MS Dhoni, who walked out to a roaring Chepauk crowd, smashed a six and a four but was also dismissed by Chahal for 11 off 4. Chahal’s figures of 4/32 in 3 overs were pivotal in restricting CSK.
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Final Blow: Arshdeep Singh cleaned up Shivam Dube (6 off 6) in the 19.2nd over, and CSK were bowled out for 190/10, with four balls remaining. Sam Curran’s 88 was the standout performance, but Chahal’s hat-trick ensured CSK fell short of a potentially match-winning total.
CSK Innings Scorecard
|
Batter |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shaik Rasheed |
c Shashank Singh b Arshdeep Singh |
11 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 91.67 |
|
Ayush Mhatre |
c Shreyas Iyer b Marco Jansen |
7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 116.67 |
|
Sam Curran |
c Josh Inglis b Marco Jansen |
88 | 47 | 9 | 4 | 187.23 |
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
c Josh Inglis b Harpreet Brar |
17 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 141.67 |
|
Dewald Brevis |
b Azmatullah Omarzai |
32 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 123.08 |
|
Shivam Dube |
c Shashank Singh b Arshdeep Singh |
6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
|
Deepak Hooda |
c Priyansh Arya b Yuzvendra Chahal |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
|
MS Dhoni (c & wk) |
c Nehal Wadhera b Yuzvendra Chahal |
11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 275.00 |
|
Anshul Kamboj |
c (sub) b Yuzvendra Chahal |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Noor Ahmad |
b Yuzvendra Chahal |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Khaleel Ahmed |
not out |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Extras: 16 (b 4, lb 2, w 9, nb 1)
Total: 190/10 in 19.2 overs (Run Rate: 9.83)
Fall of Wickets: 21/1 (2.5), 22/2 (3.1), 48/3 (5.5), 126/4 (14.1), 172/5 (17.4), 184/6 (18.2), 186/7 (18.4), 186/8 (18.5), 186/9 (18.6), 190/10 (19.2)
Bowling:
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Arshdeep Singh: 4-0-34-2
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Marco Jansen: 4-0-38-2
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Azmatullah Omarzai: 4-0-36-1
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Harpreet Brar: 3-0-30-1
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Yuzvendra Chahal: 3-0-32-4
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Suryansh Shedge: 1.2-0-14-0
Punjab Kings Innings: Iyer and Prabhsimran Shine
Chasing 191, Punjab Kings needed a strong start, and their openers delivered. Priyansh Arya, fresh off a century against CSK in their previous meeting, and Prabhsimran Singh set the tone.
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Blazing Start: Arya (26 off 17) and Prabhsimran (54 off 36, 4 fours, 2 sixes) added 44 runs in 4.4 overs. Khaleel Ahmed got Arya, but Prabhsimran kept the momentum going, reaching his fifty.
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Iyer Takes Charge: Captain Shreyas Iyer (72 off 41, 5 fours, 4 sixes) joined Prabhsimran, and the duo stitched a 72-run partnership. By the 13th over, PBKS were 116/2, cruising towards the target. Noor Ahmad dismissed Prabhsimran, and Matheesha Pathirana removed Nehal Wadhera (8 off 7), but Iyer’s aggressive batting kept PBKS in control.
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Late Drama: With 11 runs needed off the last two overs, CSK fought back. Pathirana and Khaleel Ahmed tightened the screws, dismissing Shashank Singh (13 off 10) and Iyer. Suryansh Shedge (0 off 2) fell to a mistimed pull, leaving PBKS needing 1 run off 4 balls.
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Jansen Seals It: Marco Jansen (4* off 2) hit an inside-edge boundary off Khaleel Ahmed in the 19.4th over, sealing a 4-wicket victory for PBKS. The chase was clinical, despite the late hiccups, with Iyer’s 72 earning him the Player of the Match award.
PBKS Innings Scorecard
|
Batter |
Dismissal |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Priyansh Arya |
c (sub) b Khaleel Ahmed |
26 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 152.94 |
|
Prabhsimran Singh |
lbw b Noor Ahmad |
54 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 150.00 |
|
Shreyas Iyer (c) |
c (sub) b Matheesha Pathirana |
72 | 41 | 5 | 4 | 175.61 |
|
Nehal Wadhera |
c (sub) b Matheesha Pathirana |
8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
|
Shashank Singh |
c (sub) b Khaleel Ahmed |
13 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 130.00 |
|
Harpreet Brar |
not out |
6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 120.00 |
|
Suryansh Shedge |
c Noor Ahmad b Khaleel Ahmed |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Marco Jansen |
not out |
4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
Extras: 11 (b 1, lb 2, w 7, nb 1)
Total: 194/6 in 19.4 overs (Run Rate: 9.93)
Fall of Wickets: 44/1 (4.4), 116/2 (12.6), 136/3 (14.3), 180/4 (17.3), 188/5 (18.4), 190/6 (19.2)
Bowling:
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Khaleel Ahmed: 4-0-38-3
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Matheesha Pathirana: 4-0-42-2
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Noor Ahmad: 4-0-36-1
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Ravichandran Ashwin: 3-0-30-0
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Deepak Hooda: 2-0-20-0
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Ravindra Jadeja: 2-0-18-0
Key Moments That Defined Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Match Scorecard
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Sam Curran’s Explosive 88: Curran’s knock was the backbone of CSK’s innings. His ability to counterattack after early losses and dominate the middle overs gave CSK a fighting chance. The 26-run over against Shedge was a highlight, showcasing his power-hitting.
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Yuzvendra Chahal’s Hat-Trick: Chahal’s 19th over was a game-changer. Dismissing Hooda, Kamboj, Ahmad, and Dhoni in a single over not only halted CSK’s momentum but also kept their total below 200, making the chase achievable for PBKS.
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Shreyas Iyer’s Captain’s Knock: Iyer’s 72 off 41 was a masterclass in chasing a big total. His composure and aggressive strokeplay, especially against spinners, ensured PBKS stayed ahead of the required run rate.
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Late Drama in the Chase: CSK’s bowlers, particularly Pathirana and Khaleel, made PBKS work for the victory. The dismissals of Iyer and Shedge in the final overs created tension, but Jansen’s boundary sealed the deal.
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Chepauk’s Fall: For CSK, losing five consecutive home games, including this one, was a historic low. Chepauk, once their fortress, became a graveyard for their playoff hopes.
Impact on the Tournament
This defeat was the final nail in CSK’s coffin, making them the first team eliminated from the IPL 2025 playoffs. With only two wins in ten matches, their season was marred by poor auction strategy, injuries (notably Ruturaj Gaikwad’s elbow injury), and an inability to adapt to spin-friendly conditions at home. MS Dhoni, in his post-match comments, noted that the team was 10-15 runs short and rued the loss of wickets in the 19th over, which cost them crucial momentum.
For Punjab Kings, the win propelled them to second place on the points table with 13 points, strengthening their playoff chances. Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and the form of young players like Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have made PBKS a formidable unit. Their ability to chase 191 at Chepauk, a ground where CSK have historically dominated, was a statement of intent.
Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer’s 72 off 41 balls was the defining performance of the match. His ability to anchor the chase while maintaining a high strike rate earned him the Player of the Match award. Iyer’s post-match comments reflected his confidence: “I love chasing on any field, and I thrive when there’s a big total on the board. I try to play on my instincts and back myself.”
What Went Wrong for CSK?
CSK’s struggles in IPL 2025 can be attributed to several factors:
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Home Form: Losing five out of six home games at Chepauk was unprecedented. The team failed to capitalize on home advantage, particularly against spin.
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Batting Inconsistency: Apart from Curran and occasional contributions from Dhoni and Brevis, CSK’s batting lacked intent. Experiments with the batting order, like moving Jadeja to number four, didn’t work.
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Auction Strategy: As noted by batting coach Mike Hussey, CSK’s failure to invest in young talent at the auction left them short of firepower.
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Injuries: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury disrupted their leadership and batting stability.
PBKS’s Winning Formula
Punjab Kings, under Ricky Ponting’s coaching and Iyer’s captaincy, have found a balance:
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Dynamic Batting: Priyansh Arya’s century in the previous match and Prabhsimran’s fifty in this one showed their depth. Iyer’s consistency added stability.
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Chahal’s Magic: Yuzvendra Chahal’s hat-trick and overall bowling prowess have been game-changers.
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Team Spirit: Despite a few hiccups, PBKS’s ability to stay calm under pressure, especially in the chase, highlighted their maturity.
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Looking Ahead
For CSK, the remainder of IPL 2025 is about playing for pride. Dhoni emphasized the need to nurture young players like Brevis, who showed promise with both bat and in the field. For PBKS, the focus is on securing a top-two finish. Their next challenges will test their consistency, but with players like Iyer, Chahal, and Arya in form, they are strong contenders.
Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings Match Scorecard Summary
Chennai Super Kings Innings
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Total: 190/10 in 19.2 overs (RR: 9.83)
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Top Scorer: Sam Curran (88 off 47)
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Key Bowler: Yuzvendra Chahal (4/32, including a hat-trick)
Punjab Kings Innings
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Total: 194/6 in 19.4 overs (RR: 9.93)
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Top Scorer: Shreyas Iyer (72 off 41)
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Key Bowler: Khaleel Ahmed (3/38)
Match Details
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Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
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Date: April 30, 2025
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Toss: Punjab Kings won, elected to bowl
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Umpires: Akshay Totre, Anish Sahasrabudhe
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Third Umpire: Rohan Pandit
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Match Referee: Amit Sharma
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Result: Punjab Kings won by 4 wickets
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Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer
Conclusion
The Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings clash on April 30, 2025, was a classic IPL encounter filled with drama, skill, and heartbreak. Punjab Kings’ clinical chase, led by Shreyas Iyer and supported by Chahal’s hat-trick, showcased their potential as title contenders. For CSK, it was a bitter end to a disappointing season, but their fighting spirit, epitomized by Sam Curran’s 88, gave fans moments to cherish. This match will be remembered as a turning point for PBKS and a wake-up call for CSK to regroup for future seasons.
