Liam Livingstone’s all-round show helped Punjab Kings (PBKS) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 54 runs in Match 11 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. CSK's three defeats in three matches is now their worst ever start in IPL history.
Living up to his immense reputation as a T20 cricketer, Livingstone top-scored for PBKS with a 32-ball 60, claimed two wickets and pouched two catches. IPL debutants Jitesh Sharma (26 in 17 balls, 2 catches) and Vaibhav Arora (2-21) also came to the party for the Punjab brigade.
Chasing 181, CSK lost half their side inside eight overs, but Shivam Dube’s second consecutive fifty gave them a glimmer of hope.
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Punjab Kings 180/8 in 20 overs
Punjab’s power-packed batting were off to a disastrous start, losing captain Mayank Agarwal to the second ball, to Mukesh Choudhary. An over later, Bhanuka Rajapaksa was involved in a mix-up with Shikhar Dhawan and was run out.
Livingstone and Dhawan (33 in 24) then put PBKS in a strong position, adding 95 in 52 balls for the third wicket. Then both men departed in a span of five balls, which derailed the PBKS innings.
One of the most dangerous white-ball batters, Livingstone justified his price tag of INR 11.5 crore by slamming his first IPL fifty.
However, after amassing 109 in 10 overs, PBKS managed only 71 in their final 10 overs. Shahrukh Khan and Odean Smith struggled before getting out to Chris Jordan, but Jitesh showed a good account of his skills by striking a 17-ball 26.
By the end of the innings, CSK were the happier side to walk off the field.
Chennai Super Kings 126 in 18 overs
CSK’s top-order went down like ninepins. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s lean run continued as he edged to slip off Kagiso Rabada.
Tall, strong and possessing excellent swing bowling skills, Arora of Himachal Pradesh had an excellent IPL debut. He bowled to impeccable length and swung the ball both ways. He sent back Robin Uthappa and Moeen Ali. In the last over before Powerplay, Arshdeep Singh joined the party, dismantling Ravindra Jadeja’s stumps for a duck.
CSK were reeling at 27/4 in the Powerplay. Nine balls later, Smith struck with a short-of-length delivery to get Ambati Rayudu (13 off 21). As the ball ballooned towards the slips, Jitesh took a splendid diving catch. CSK were reduced to 38/5 in the eighth over.
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Then Dube intervened. He smashed 57 in 30 balls to keep CSK in the hunt, adding 62 in 44 balls with M.S. Dhoni (23 off 28). His three sixes included two consecutive straight hits off Rabada.
CSK’s hopes were sealed in the 15th over, bowled by Livingstone. Starting with leg breaks, Livingstone baffled Dube with an off break outside the off stump to have him caught by Arshdeep. He followed it up with an incredible catch off his own bowling to remove the dangerous Dwayne Bravo.
Rahul Chahar dismissed Dhoni and the rest of the lower order to finish CSK inside 18 overs to ensure a significant boost to their net run rate.
With two wins from three matches, PBKS have climbed to the fourth spot in the points table below Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT).
Brief scores:
Punjab Kings 180/8 in 20 overs (Liam Livingstone 60; Chris Jordan 2-23) beat Chennai Super Kings 126 in 18 overs (Shivam Dube 57; Rahul Chahar 3-25). Player of the Match: Liam Livingstone.