Punjab Kings dominate Chennai, strong record at Chepauk
Punjab Kings have built a strong record against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk in recent IPL seasons. With four straight wins from 2023 onwards, they are closing in on Mumbai Indians, who hold the record with five consecutive wins at the venue between 2012 and 2019. It is a rare case where CSK, usually dominant at home, have struggled against the same opposition over a stretch of time.
Most consecutive wins vs CSK at Chepauk (IPL) –
5 Mumbai Indians (2012-19)
4 Punjab Kings (2023-26*)
Punjab Kings pull off dramatic chase of 210 to stun Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk
Punjab Kings chased down a massive 210 with five wickets in hand and 8 balls remaining, defeating Chennai Super Kings in a high-scoring thriller at Chepauk. Shreyas Iyer anchored the chase with a commanding innings, while Shivam Dube and Nehal Wadhera provided strong support as the Kings overhauled the target with ease in the end.
CSK had posted 209/5, built around strong contributions from Ayush Mhatre and a late push from Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan. Mhatre’s 73 and a quick 32 from Sarfaraz gave CSK momentum, but Punjab Kings kept picking wickets at key moments to prevent a bigger total.
The chase saw early momentum swings, but a crucial middle-order stand between Iyer and Wadhera shifted control firmly towards Punjab. CSK’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, especially in the death overs, as the Kings accelerated when it mattered most and sealed a memorable win.
What next for CSK ?
CSK need to look for better combinations among all-rounders and bowlers to strengthen their squad. After dealing with several injuries at the start of the tournament and missing key players like Brevis and experienced leader Dhoni for a few matches, they have lacked clarity in decision-making.
It is a long tournament, but CSK must assess what they can add after these back-to-back losses. Wicketless spin bowling is a concern, with Noor Ahmad going without a wicket in Chennai for the first time, which is a major setback. The pacers have also struggled to make early breakthroughs, failing to take wickets in the powerplay in both matches.