Chahar’s four-wicket burst has Punjab on the ropes

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 16, 2021

A burst of opening spell from Deepak Chahar helped Chennai Super Kings ease to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League on Friday.

At the Wankhede Stadium, the tournament went through fourth consecutive day of ordinary scoring games when Punjab were restricted to 106-8 in 20 overs.

Moeen Ali and Faf du Plessis then got involved in a 66-run second wicket stand as Chennai replied with 107-4 in 15.4 overs.

Moeen eased the chase with a 31-ball 46 laced with seven fours and a maximum. Mohammad Shami dismissed Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu in consecutive deliveries but by then the match was already out of Punjab hands. Du Plessis made 36 from 33 and hit three fours and a six.

The day belonged to Chahar who reduced Punjab to 42-5 inside seven overs with crucial wickets of Mayank Agarwal (duck), Chris Gayle (10), Deepak Hooda (10) and Nicholas Pooran (nought). Pooran is yet to open his account after falling for duck in the first two games.

Shaharukh Khan avoided humiliation for Punjab by scoring 47 from 36 balls that included four boundaries and two sixes. Jhye Richardson (15) was their next best scorer.

Man-of-the-match Chahar returned the figures of 4-13 which still wasn’t his best bowling in the format.