What a match! Punjab Kings won by 18 runs in Mullanpur.The match had it all — a maiden century, aggressive batting, a tense chase and vintage MS Dhoni at the end — but it was the home team that held their nerve and won.
Punjab’s innings was all about Priyansh Arya who announced his arrival with a century.
The youngster was in top form, hitting boundaries at will and dominating the CSK bowlers from the start. His 42 ball hundred laid the platform for a big score.
Shashank Singh finished the job with a composed half century and Punjab piled up 219 on a flat track.
CSK’s chase started with Rachin Ravindra showing intent, while Devon Conway held one end and played a technical knock.
The duo gave CSK a good start and Shivam Dube’s fluent 42 in the middle overs kept hopes alive. But Punjab kept chipping away with wickets at the right time.
Then came the moment of the night — MS Dhoni at the crease with the equation heavily against CSK.
Need 43 off 13, Dhoni sent the crowd into a frenzy with a boundary and two sixes in the penultimate over off Arshdeep Singh.
The magic was back and with 28 needed off the last over, CSK fans were believing.
But Punjab’s Yash Thakur held his nerve. First ball of the last over — a full toss — Dhoni tried to flick it over fine leg, but only found Yuzvendra Chahal at the boundary.
The roar turned into stunned silence as Dhoni walked off, probably for the last time in Punjab. Jadeja tried to salvage the chase but the task was too big.
In the end it was a clinical performance from Punjab, powered by Arya’s heroics and calm execution under pressure.
For fans it was a reminder of Dhoni’s finishing instinct even as CSK fell short by 18 runs. Punjab got two points but the memories from this match — especially Dhoni’s cameo — will linger for a long time.
