Ambati Rayudu’s swashbuckling innings of 78 went in vain as the Chennai Super Kings went down by 11 runs against the Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Monday.
After being asked to bat first by CSK skipper, openers Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan got Punjab off to a steady start. The pair added 37 runs for the opening wicket before the former (18) hit a carrom ball from Maheesh Theekshana to Shivam Dube at backward point.
Dhawan was involved in a 110 run stand for the second wicket alongside Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa who was let off twice early on the innings, finally miscued a slower ball from Dwayne Bravo to extra-cover for a 32 ball-42.
Liam Livingstone came in and smashed a quickfire 19, before perishing to Bravo. In the end Dhawan smashed an unbeaten 88 off just 59 deliveries to take Punjab to an impressive score of 187/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 188, Chennai got off to a bad start as they lost wickets of Robin Uthappa, Mitchell Santner and Shivam Dube in the powerplay.
The pair of Ambati Rayudu and Ruturaj Gaikwad put on 49 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter (30) miscued a Kagiso Rabada delivery to Mayank Agarwal.
Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja stitched together a 64 run stand for the fifth wicket. The 36 year old Andhra right hander smashed the Punjab Kings bowlers to all parts of the ground, before perishing to Rabada for a 39 ball-78. His knock comprised off 7 fours and 6 sixes.
With 27 needed off 6 balls, Dhoni smacked Rishi Dhawan for a six off the very first ball, but the all rounder held his nerve and sealed the game for Punjab by dismissing the former CSK skipper caught at deep midwicket off a wide delivery down the legside.