IPL 2022: Match 38, PBKS vs CSK – Who Said What

The Punjab Kings held their nerves to register an 11-run win over the Chennai Super Kings in Match 38 of IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 25. By the virtue of this win, PBKS successfully got the better of CSK in both their meetings this season and have now taken the sixth spot in the points table with four victories from eight matches.

CSK skipper Ravindra Jadeja won the toss and decided to bowl first. They got captain Mayank Agarwal early but Shikhar Dhawan and Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa then played counter-attacking knocks and added 110 runs for the second wicket stand before the latter was dismissed for a 32-ball 42. Meanwhile, Dhawan successfully anchored the innings and his unbeaten 88 runs off 59 deliveries helped Punjab post 187/4.

Ambati Rayudu’s fighting knock goes in vain

In reply, the defending champions kept losing wickets at regular intervals despite opener Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 30. At 89/4, CSK looked in deep trouble before Ambati Rayudu carried out the rescue act by going after the Punjab bowlers. He single-handedly took control of the chase and tried his best to bring down the asking rate.

Nonetheless, once he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada for 78 runs from 39 deliveries, the title-holders completely lost the plot and even though MS Dhoni did make his presence felt with his cameo knock of an eight-ball 12, it was just not enough as Chennai were eventually restricted to 176/6.

Losing skipper, Ravindra Jadeja said:

We started off very well, we felt we gave away 10-15 runs extra at the end. We did not execute our plans very well. He [Rayudu] was batting brilliantly, throughout but as I said earlier, if we could’ve restricted them to under 175 it would’ve been good. We are not getting good starts in the first 6 overs, that’s where we are lacking and hopefully, we will come back stronger.

Winning skipper, Mayank Agarwal said:

We would like to win a few tosses, we have just won one. I thought Arsh bowled exceedingly well, he has bowled the tough overs, he has been great for us. Even Rabada bowled well, to get Ruturaj and get Rayudu at that stage. These two have been great for us. As a team we have to be think about being smart. You want your opposition as much as they can on the longer side. As a batter even if you mishit the balls, you’ll get the result against the shorter boundary. Those moments get the better out of you. It is important to carry the momentum. We have won one, but we need to win two or three on the bounce.

Player of the Match, Shikhar Dhawan:

The process, I always talk about it, I focus on it. About my fitness, my approach – I keep working on those skills. Results will take care of itself. The wicket was stopping a bit, I tried to go for the big shots, but I couldn’t connect. But I kept my calm. Once I get set, I can get those boundaries, that’s what I bank on. While batting first it’s about putting pressure on the bowers and getting boundaries. We don’t have to lose too many wickets, that was our conscious effort. I have become a senior in the team (laughs), I give a lot of input to the players and my players. The youngsters think a lot, sometimes they overthink, so I try to communicate with them. I talk about the law of attraction and how to achieve big in life.