Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India]: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered their eighth defeat of the IPL 2025 season, falling to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by four wickets in a high-scoring encounter at Chepauk on Wednesday. While Sam Curran‘s career-best 88 and a solid middle-order partnership with Dewald Brevis offered hope, CSK’s collapse in the death overs and another failed defense led to their official elimination from playoff contention.
CSK captain MS Dhoni acknowledged the improved effort with the bat but admitted it was still below-par for the conditions.
“I think the batting… yes, it was the first time we put enough runs on the board, but I feel it was slightly short of a par score,” Dhoni said post-match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“It’s demanding on the batsmen, but we needed slightly more. The partnership between Curran and Brevis was fantastic. I think we need to take our catches.”
CSK posted 190 in 19.2 overs after being put in to bat. Curran’s explosive 88 off 47 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes) and Brevis’s 32 off 26 helped resurrect the innings from 48/3. However, a late hat-trick by Yuzvendra Chahal (4/32) derailed their momentum, collapsing CSK from 172/4 to 190 all out.
Dhoni praised Curran’s intent and adaptability, noting that this was the most batting-friendly surface CSK had played on at home this season.
“Curran is a fighter… unfortunately, we gave him chances earlier on slower wickets. Today’s was the best pitch at home this season.”
He also lauded Dewald Brevis, calling him “a breath of fresh air” in the middle order.
“He brings energy in the field too. We needed that fresh air, someone not caught up in the spiral. He can be an asset going forward.”
In reply, PBKS chased down the target with two balls remaining. The innings was anchored by Shreyas Iyer’s 72 off 41 balls and Prabhsimran Singh’s 54 off 36, after a fiery opening from Priyansh Arya (23 off 15). Despite late wickets, the visitors crossed the line at 194/6.
Also SEE : Iyer, Prabhsimran Shine; Chahal’s Hat-Trick Seals PBKS’ Thrilling Win Over CSK at Chepauk
Khaleel Ahmed (2/28) and Matheesha Pathirana (2/45) led CSK’s bowling efforts, but were unable to prevent yet another defeat.
With this result, PBKS climbs to second place on the points table with 13 points (6 wins, 3 losses, 1 no result), while CSK remains at the bottom, with just 4 points from 10 matches.