Punjab Kings Crush CSK in IPL 2025: Chahal’s Hat-Trick, Iyer’s Heroics Seal Playoff Spot

Posted by By Cricket Enthusiast

Punjab Kings Crush CSK in IPL 2025: Chahal’s Hat-Trick, Iyer’s Heroics Seal Playoff Spot

Introduction: In a thrilling encounter at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Punjab Kings (PBKS) delivered a commanding performance to defeat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 4 wickets on Wednesday, officially knocking the five-time champions out of the IPL 2025 playoff race. Powered by Yuzvendra Chahal’s breathtaking hat-trick and Shreyas Iyer’s match-defining 72, Punjab showcased their growing prowess as serious title contenders.

With this victory, Punjab climbed to second place on the points table with 13 points from their campaign so far, while CSK, languishing at the bottom with a meager 4 points from 10 matches, saw their already faint hopes of a playoff berth extinguished. Let’s dive into the key moments that defined this high-octane clash.

Punjab’s Chase: Iyer and Prabhsimran Lay the Foundation

Chasing a formidable target of 191, Punjab Kings started with intent. Openers Priyansh Arya (23) and Prabhsimran Singh (54 off 36 balls) set the tone with a fiery partnership, scoring at a brisk rate of 9 runs per over. Prabhsimran, in particular, dazzled with innovative stroke play, including reverse sweeps, scoops, and towering straight hits. Despite surviving a close LBW call against Ravindra Jadeja, he continued to dominate until his dismissal.

Skipper Shreyas Iyer (72 off 41 balls) then took charge, blending calmness with aggression to anchor the chase. His onslaught in the 17th over against CSK’s death-overs specialist Matheesha Pathirana—comprising two sixes and a boundary—proved to be the turning point. Iyer’s crucial 72-run stand with Prabhsimran ensured Punjab stayed on course, eventually sealing the chase at 194/6 with just two balls to spare despite late hiccups.

CSK’s Batting: Curran Shines, but Chahal Steals the Show

Earlier in the day, Chennai Super Kings posted what looked like a competitive total of 190, largely thanks to Sam Curran’s career-best 88 off 47 balls. Supported by a gritty Dewald Brevis (32), Curran stitched together a vital 78-run partnership to propel CSK forward. However, their momentum was derailed in the death overs by none other than Yuzvendra Chahal.

The leg-spinner, who had been wicketless until the 19th over, turned the game on its head with a sensational spell. Chahal claimed 4 wickets for 32 runs, including a hat-trick—his second in IPL history—and the prized wicket of MS Dhoni, who fell attempting a big shot. This remarkable performance, Chahal’s ninth four-wicket haul in the IPL, shattered CSK’s hopes of setting a match-winning total.

Key Stats and Brief Scores

Here’s how the numbers stacked up:

  • Chennai Super Kings: 190 all out in 20 overs (Sam Curran 88, Dewald Brevis 32; Yuzvendra Chahal 4/32, Marco Jansen 2/30)
  • Punjab Kings: 194/6 in 19.4 overs (Shreyas Iyer 72, Prabhsimran Singh 54; Matheesha Pathirana 2/45, Khaleel Ahmed 2/28)
  • Result: Punjab Kings won by 4 wickets

Conclusion: Punjab’s Playoff Credentials Soar

In summary, Punjab Kings’ clinical performance against Chennai Super Kings has solidified their status as a top contender in IPL 2025. With Chahal weaving magic with the ball and Iyer leading from the front with the bat, PBKS looks poised for a deep run in the tournament. For CSK, this loss marks a heartbreaking end to their playoff aspirations, leaving fans pondering what went wrong for the once-dominant franchise. As the IPL 2025 season heats up, all eyes will be on Punjab to see if they can maintain this momentum in the battles ahead.

Skip to content