IPL2025: CSK is the first team eliminated from the playoffs

IPL2025: CSK is the first team eliminated from the playoffs Theindiaprint | 01/05/2025 13:27:16

Chennai Super Kings’ Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign came to a sad end on Wednesday as they lost to Punjab Kings by an exciting four wickets at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, making them the first side to be formally eliminated from the playoff competition.

The MS Dhoni-led club has now missed two straight seasons of the playoffs, which is a first in the team’s extraordinary history. This is a historic low for the team.

Sam Curran, who batted first at Chepauk, hit a brilliant 88 off only 47 balls, including nine fours and four sixes, to give CSK the victory. Curran seized control of the innings after starting the power-play at a vulnerable 48 for 3. He and Dewald Brevis (32), who stitched a crucial 78-run partnership, steadied the ship and helped CSK to a respectable total.

In the 16th over, Curran’s strokeplay reached its zenith when he hammered youthful Suryansh Shedge for 26 runs, including two sixes and two boundaries. After gloving a bouncer from Marco Jansen in the 18th over, the English all-rounder seemed destined to lead CSK beyond 200.

Yuzvendra Chahal changed the course of the match just as CSK seemed to be preparing for a thrilling conclusion. After bowling only two overs before the 19th, the leg-spinner came back to deliver the last over and orchestrated an incredible collapse.

Chahal dismissed Dhoni the very next ball after he struck him for a six. A procession ensued as Chahal secured a spectacular hat-trick, his second in the IPL, to limit CSK to 190 after Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad fell quickly after one other.

With a 36-ball 54 to set the tone, opener Prabhsimran Singh gave Punjab Kings a strong start in the reply. He worked effectively with skipper Shreyas Iyer, who held one end and scored a flawless 72 off 41 balls to pace his innings.

PBKS maintained composure in the face of losing a few middle-overs wickets, notably the steady Prabhsimran and Shashank Singh (23). Punjab managed to chase down the mark in 19.4 overs because to Iyer’s calm acceleration and a little bit of luck at the end.