Jadeja's all-round performance helps CSK beat Punjab Kings by 28 runs

DHARAMSALA: An excellent all-round performance by Ravindra Jadeja and disciplined bowling spells from Tushar Deshpande and Simarjeet Singh helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 28 runs at Dharamsala on Sunday. Ravindra Jadeja who scored 43 runs and took three wickets was adjudged the player of the match.

Score: Chennai Super Kings 167-9 (20), Punjab Kings 139-9 (20)

In the run-chase of 168 runs, Punjab was off to a poor start as in the second over, Tushar Deshpande cleaned up Jonny Bairstow (7) and Riley Rossouw (0), reducing PBKS to 9/2 in two overs. Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh put Punjab back on track with some fine shot-making. In 6.2 overs, Punjab reached their 50-run mark. Spinner Mitchell Santner ended the 53-run partnership, removing Shashank for 27 in 20 balls (four boundaries) and Simarjeet Singh took the catch at long-on. PBKS was 62/3 in eight overs. CSK bowlers managed to make a massive comeback into the game, removing Prabhsimran (30 in 23 balls, with two fours and two sixes) with Jadeja getting the wicket with assistance from Sameer Rizwi at long-off. Simarjeet also removed Jitesh Sharma for a golden duck. Halfway through the innings, Punjab was 72/5, with Sam Curran (5*) and Ashutosh Sharma (1*) unbeaten. Jadeja and Simanjeet made things worse for Punjab when they removed Curran (7), Ashutosh Sharma (3) and Harshal Patel (12 in 13 balls, with a four and a six) quickly, reducing Punjab to 90/8 in 14.4 overs.

The pair of Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar helped Punjab cross the 100-run mark in 16 overs. Shardul Thakur ended the partnership between these two before it could threaten CSK. He cleaned up Rahul for 16 in 10 balls, with two fours and a six. PBKS ended their innings at 139/9 in their 20 overs, with Brar (17*) and Kagiso Rabada (11*) unbeaten.

Jadeja (3/20) was the pick of the bowlers for CSK. Simarjeet (2/16) and Tushar (2/35) took two wickets as well while Santner and Thakur got one each.