Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings IPL, 2024, Full Score Card

THAT'S IT! Punjab get home and become the second team to win five successive games against Chennai! Richard Gleeson bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Shashank Singh turns this one towards deep square leg. The batters think about coming back for the second. The throw from the deep is a wayward one, well wide of MS Dhoni, allowing the batters to take the second run.

Leg bye! Goes full and straight, on middle, Sam Curran with another hoick across the line, similar to the previous delivery and gets beaten on the inside edge again. The ball rolls on the off side and the batters cross.

Given LBW but Sam Curran successfully overturns it! Pitched up from over the wicket by Richard Gleeson, on middle and leg, Sam Curran goes deep in his crease to swing across the line. Gets pinged low on the front pad and the ball rolls on the off side. Up goes the finger but Curran takes the review. There is nothing on UltraEdge. However, the ball has pitched outside leg on Ball Tracking.

FOUR! Shivam Dube gets beaten all ends up by the spin and concedes a boundary. Fuller and at the stumps, Sam Curran heaves across the line and it comes off the inside half of the bat. The ball spins away from Dube at deep mid-wicket on the second bounce and trickles into the fence. Just a hit now away Punjab.

Sam Curran cannot make the Free Hit count. Slower and fuller, on off, Sam Curran goes deep in his crease and swings with all his might but does not make any connection.

NO BALL! That has slipped out of Richard Gleeson's hands! Loses the grip of the ball and ends up serving a beamer, outside off, Sam Curran is caught by surprise as the ball zips past him before he can lay any bat on it. Free Hit coming up.

On the off-stump line, on a hard length, Sam Curran swipes without much timing to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Richard Gleeson (3-0-23-1) is back.

WIDE! Fourth extra of the over. Mustafizur continues to vary it up but loses his radar as this is short and wide on off, Sam Curran fails to connect as he swings too early.

This is on a back of a length with no real pace behind it, over middle, Sam Curran swivels but he is through his pull shot early. Toe-ends it in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Another one that goes over the batter. Mustafizur Rahman takes pace off and digs it in short, outside off, Sam Curran lets it go for a wide. Chennai cannot challenge the call even if they wish to, as they have no reviews remaining.

WIDE! Wide not given and Punjab have reviewed it! Bowls it on a shortish length, over middle, Sam Curran tries to fetch the pull from over his head but misses. The side-on replays confirm that the ball was going Curran's head and the decision has been changed to wide.

In the air but it falls short! Lands it on a hard length, outside off, Sam Curran slaps it flat towards long off. Curran is caught ball-watching as he waits to see if the ball carries to Daryl Mitchell at long off or not. The ball drops in front and Shashank Singh gets sent back by Curran. The Punjab skipper raises his hand in apology to Singh.

WIDE! Takes pace off and it is fuller as well, near the tramline on off, Sam Curran reaches out to go back over the bowler's head. He misses and the umpire deems that the ball was beyond the tramline. Chennai challenge the wide call and the replays confirm that the ball was outside the wide guideline. It will stay as wide.

Slanting away again, on a hard length, on off, Shashank Singh stays leg side of the ball and punches it square to deep point for one.

Angling across the right-hander, on a good length, outside off, Shashank Singh goes for the cut but fails to pick the slower one and connects with thin air.

Angling in, on a hard length, on middle, Sam Curran punches it off the back foot to long on for a single.

Strategic Break! With 17 runs needed from the last 24 balls, it is Punjab's game to lose here. They would not want to put themselves under pressure by taking the game deep and would look to finish it quickly, thereby improving their NRR. As it stands, Chennai are heading towards their second home defeat of the season. They need a real miracle to pull off a heist here.

Sliding onto the pads at 87.4 kph, on a fullish length, Sam Curran flicks it off his toes to deep mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single. Just 17 runs more are needed and Punjab will look to finish this quickly in an over or two.

This is flat and short, on off, Shashank Singh punches it with a straight bat to long on and gets to the other end.

Tosses it up, fuller in length, on off, Shashank Singh shapes up for the slog sweep but gets it off the inner half of the bat in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! On a nagging length, on off, Shashank Singh goes deep in his crease and stays low to make the connection. Goes up and under to tonk it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

At the stumps, on a nagging length, on middle, Sam Curran places it with soft hands in front of long off. The batters think about the second run but Daryl Mitchell gets to the ball quickly and even manages to hit the stumps at the batting end.

Slower though the air and gets the ball to spin away, short and on off, Sam Curran gets on the back foot and plays it back to the bowler.

Another halt as the ball is being exchanged once again. This one has taken a huge toll of the dew out there. The Umpire selects another ball and we are good to go.

A maiden over! Excellent execution of the cutters from Mustafizur Rahman! Short and going across off, Shashank Singh tries to play the ramp shot but fails to get any connection on it. Despite this maiden over, Punjab need below run a ball.

Make that five now! What an excellent over this has been! Slower one, an off-cutter on off, Shashank Singh drives it straight to covers.

Make that four dots! On a good length, outside off, Shashank Singh waits and guides it straight to short third.

Third dot on the trot! Full, off-cutter shaping away from outside off, Shashank Singh gets ahead to drive it through covers but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Across off on a hard length, Shashank Singh drives it straight to covers.

Nearly chopped on! Back of a length, around off, Shashank Singh moves across to cut but plays it too close to the body and ends up chopping it near his feet.

Mustafizur Rahman (2-0-13-0) comes back on to bowl.

FOUR! Shot! Short in length, just outside off, Sam Curran waits and clears his front foot before swinging it hard over backward point for a boundary to end the over.

FOUR! Gets it through! And uh, oh! The siren rings and it just keeps getting worse for Chennai. No Ball. Full and outside off, Sam Curran throws his hand at it, opens the bat's face and guides it through third man for a boundary. It's a front foot No Ball from Shardul and Free Hit to follow now.

Goes fuller in length now, outside off. Shashank Singh shuffles across and flicks it through mid-wicket for one. Things brings up 1000 runs for Shashank Singh in all T20s. Quite a feat!

Short and on off, Sam Curran pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

In the air...and dropped! A great effort from Daryl Mitchell though! On the middle and full in length, Shashank Singh picks it up in the off from the bottom half of the willow. Daryl Mitchell from mid off backtracks and puts in a dive, almost gets his hands on it but the ball bursts out of his hands as he falls on with the momentum. A single taken.

Beaten! On the back of a length, outside off, Shashank Singh pokes it away from the body and gets beaten on the outside edge. The ball carries back to the keeper.

Short in length, on the middle and leg, Sam Curran pulls it without any timing towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

A low full toss just around off, Sam Curran digs it towards mid off and retains the strike for the next over with a quick single.

The call is for 'two' and he gets it! Full, on the leg stump line, Sam Curran works it to deep mid-wicket for another double.

A low full toss on the middle, Sam Curran flicks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and scampers back for the double.

Tails into the batter on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Shashank Singh flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Short in length, on the leg-stump line, Sam Curran controls his pull shot along the ground towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Hard length, around off, this is guided away to deep third for a single by Shashank Singh.

WIDE! Way down the leg stump, on a fuller length, Shashank Singh misses to flick and the Umpire stretches his arms for a Wide.

The Punjab skipper, Sam Curran comes out to bat now. Richard Gleeson (2-0-14-1) is back into the attack.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Finally, some respite for Chennai and Shardul Thakur. Rilee Rossouw is absolutely animated with himself. Shardul hustles from over the wicket and bowls a knee-length full toss with a cross seam, closer to the off stump, it tails back in as well, Rilee Rossouw swings across and gets a thickish inside edge, onto the pads and it goes on to dismantle the furniture. However, a brilliant inning from Rilee Rossouw as he departs on 43.

Fuller in length, on off and middle, Shashank Singh flicks it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Gloriousness overloaded! Full and on off, right into the slot, Shashank Singh presents the full face of the willow and drives it off the middle straight down the ground for a handsome boundary.

Lands it on a good length, around off, Rilee Rossouw cuts it through deep extra covers for an easy single.

WIDE! Short, even wide and slower outside off, Rilee Rossouw lets it go through. Wided.

SIX! Audacious from Rossouw! A poor predictable short-pitched delivery, outside off, Rilee Rossouw cuts it aerially and deposits it behind deep backward point for a maximum.

100 up for Punjab! Full, on the middle and off, Shashank Singh forces it down to long on for a single.

Shardul Thakur returns to the attack, replacing Shivam Dube.

Shorter, on off, Shashank Singh cuts it past cover-point for a single to retain the strike. 64 runs needed off the last 54 deliveries.

Flighted fuller in length, in front of the stumps, Shashank Singh strides ahead and pushes it back to Jadeja.

Drags the length on the top of the middle, Shashank Singh shuffles to the leg side and punches it to covers.

Tossed up on the middle, full in length, Shashank Singh pushes it back to the bowler.

On leg, full in length, Rilee Rossouw strides ahead and turns it to deep square leg for a single.

The umpires have asked for a ball change as the current one has gotten too wet due to the dew. The ball has been replaced, and let's see if Chennai can use the drier ball to their advantage.

Around the wicket, short and on off, Shashank Singh punches it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Gap picked to perfection! Width on offer by Dube with no real pace behind it, on a good length, Rilee Rossouw hammers it along the ground in front of square on the off side, beating deep point to his left for a boundary. Dube gets a wicket but ends up giving away 14 runs, which won't help Chennai one bit.

'Two, two' is the call from Rilee Rossouw and he gets it with ease! Slower and on a length, on off, Rilee Rossouw gets on the front foot and knocks it to the right of long off for a couple of runs.

SIX! BANG! That has gone many rows back! Dube looks to unsettle the batter by opting for a bumper. However, it is not short enough, around middle and it sits up nicely for the batter, Rilee Rossouw does not miss out as he nails the pull over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

Short of a length, outside off, Shashank Singh glides it wide of backward point and gets off the mark with a single.

Shashank Singh is in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shivam Dube breaks through for Chennai! The move to bring Dube into the attack has worked and this is a timely breakthrough for the hosts. Goes into the wicket and bowls it on off, Jonny Bairstow backs away and shapes up to play the upper cut over the keeper. Only manages to get an outside edge that travels at head height to MS Dhoni who takes it to his right.

Comes into the attack and bowls it on a back of a length, on middle, Rilee Rossouw swivels in the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pulls the length back and it is around off, Jonny Bairstow uses the depth of his crease and cuts it to the left of deep cover. Sameer Rizvi runs around to cut it off but releases a wayward throw in the middle of the surface. A half-decent throw might have found Bairstow struggling at the batting end.

Fuller and on off, Jonny Bairstow drives it straight to cover.

FOUR! Nicely cut away! Fractionally short by Jadeja, around off, Jonny Bairstow is quick to pick the length and goes on the back foot. Cuts it along the ground and beats the diving Sameer Rizvi at deep point to his left for a boundary.

Turning in a touch, on a nagging length again, on middle, Rilee Rossouw pats it wide of point and gets to the other end.

On a nagging length, on off and middle, Jonny Bairstow dabs it off the front foot in front of point for one.

Fires it in, full and at the pads, at 91.2 kph, Rilee Rossouw clips it through square leg. The batters think about the second run but Shardul Thakur is quick to release the throw and keeps it down to one.

Strategic Break! Despite losing Prabhsimran Singh well early inside the first six, Punjab is looking in a very comfortable position at the moment as Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw are keeping the scoreboard ticking, finding boundaries at regular intervals. On the other hand, Chennai has introduced spin in tandem but both their spinners have gone for runs in their first respective overs. Also, there's a lot of dew around so it will just get tougher for the bowlers to grip the ball. It would be challenging for the Chennai spinners to deal with it and also, they are in dire need of a couple of wickets here.

FOUR! Ravindra Jadeja goes for the catch but ends up giving a boundary! Floats it up, full and on off and middle, Jonny Bairstow reaches out in and employs the sweep. Hits it flat and dips towards deep mid-wicket where Ravindra Jadeja comes charging in but fails to get the body behind the ball and concedes a boundary. 10 off Jadeja's first over and 11 off Moeen's over. Chennai spinners have not started well.

SIX! Flat hit! Drops it short and on off, Jonny Bairstow rocks on the back foot in a flash and hammers the pull flat and over Ruturaj Gaikwad at long on for a maximum. 50-run stand come up between these two batters.

Short and turning in, on off and a bit of extra bounce, Jonny Bairstow shapes up for the sweep but fails to get the shot away and gets hit on the body.

Slower and shorter, on middle, Rilee Rossouw goes back in his crease and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Keeps it full and targets the stumps, Rilee Rossouw defends it off the front foot with a straight bat.

Tosses it up, full and on off, driven straight to cover by Rilee Rossouw.

So spin from both ends now. Moeen Ali is introduced into the attack.

FOUR! Short and punished! Jadeja drops it a bit too short, on off, Jonny Bairstow drags the pull from outside off but still manages to get the power behind it. The fielder at deep mid-wicket slides to his left but the ball evades him for a boundary.

Slower through the air and fuller, on middle, Jonny Bairstow drills it hard but can't get it past the man at extra cover.

FOUR! Risky but Jonny Bairstow gets the reward! Short and sliding on with the arm, at the stumps, Jonny Bairstow plays it very late, almost off the stumps. Cuts it to the left of short third and picks up a boundary.

Fuller in length, outside off, Jonny Bairstow gets on the front foot and shapes up to drive it square but mistimes it to point.

Turning into the pads, short in length, Rilee Rossouw tucks it in front of Moeen Ali at short fine leg and scampers across to the other end.

Starts off on a flat trajectory, short and on off, Jonny Bairstow chops it wide of backward point for a single.

Too straight from Thakur, on a shortish length, around leg, Jonny Bairstow miscues the pull uppishly but it lands in front of the rushing Mustafizur Rahman at short fine leg. The batters cross for one. The throw hits at the batting end but the ricochet does not cost Chennai anything.

On a hard length, over middle, Jonny Bairstow pulls it off the front foot to the left of deep square leg where Sameer Rizvi runs around and mops it up. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Clubbed away with real authority! Digs it in short does Thakur, off-pace as well, on off, Jonny Bairstow picks the slower delivery and waits for the ball to arrive. Thumps it to the right of mid on for four more runs.

Takes pace off and bowls it away from the reach of the batter, short of a good length, near the tramline on off, Rilee Rossouw reaches out and cuts it square to deep point for one.

Much straighter this time, on a good length, at the stumps, Jonny Bairstow moves leg side again and punches it to the left of mid off for a single.

FOUR! Smashed! On a back of a length, outside off, Jonny Bairstow backs away early and slaps it with brute force through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! He's dealing in boundaries at the moment! Slower in pace and way short in length, outside off. Rilee Rossouw waits for the ball to come at him and climbs on the bounce before cutting it well over the point fielder for a boundary to end the over. Not a pleasing over for Chennai.

WIDE! Slower in pace and down the leg stump line. Rilee Rossouw plays and misses to sweep it away. Wided.

FOUR! Hammered away! Outside off, full in length, Rilee Rossouw shuffles a bit on off and swipes it across and over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good length, coming into the batter on off, Rilee Rossouw gets an inside edge to the pads and back to the bowler.

Hits the deck hard on off, Rilee Rossouw tucks straight to Moeen Ali at mid-wicket.

Aims the off-stump line, and full in length, Jonny Bairstow drives it towards the right of mid off and fetches a quick single. Ruturaj Gaikwad dives to his right and keeps it to just a single.

Slants it across off and keeps the length full, Jonny Bairstow throws his bat at it and drives it straight to cover.

Almost a half-tracker outside off, Jonny Bairstow square cuts it towards deep point for a single to retain the strike. A successful over for Chennai.

Full, and outside off, Rilee Rossouw hits it off the inside half of the bat and fetches a quick single at mid off.

On the back of a length, on the stumps, Rilee Rossouw pushes it to point.

FOUR! Another boundary for Rilee Rossouw! Short in length, on off. Rilee Rossouw swivels across and pulls it towards the vacant deep square leg fence for a boundary.

FOUR! What a cracking shot! A bit too full in front of the stumps, Rilee Rossouw strides ahead and drives it handsomely down the ground for a boundary to get off the mark in style.

Rilee Rossouw comes in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! And there's the first wicket! Hits the deck hard on the middle and leg stump line, skids a bit as well off the deck and comes to the bat a bit more quickly. Prabhsimran Singh stays leg side of the ball and tries to hit it over the leg side but ends up mistiming the ball off the thickish outside edge, up in the air, just over the mid off region. Ruturaj Gaikwad settles underneath the ball and takes a comfortable catch. First wicket for Richard Gleeson in the Indian T20 League.

An appeal for LBW and the Umpire doesn't flinch a bit. Ruturaj Gaikwad sends it upstairs and challenges the decision! Length ball at 134 kph, on the off stump line. Prabhsimran Singh shuffles across off and exposes the stumps and looks to ramp it over short fine but gets hit on the pads. However, the replays show that Prabshimran had gotten an inside edge onto the pads. Chennai lose an early review.

BEAUTY! Good length, shaping away, just around off, Prabhsimran Singh opens the bat's face and is squared up and gets beaten on the outside edge.

On the back of a length, just on the middle and leg, Prabhsimran Singh taps it back to the bowler off the back foot.

Drags his length, short and on middle, Jonny Bairstow pats it to the left of point and sets off for a single. Sameer Rizvi picks the ball quickly and has a shy at the striker's end. Prabhsimran Singh has to stretch and drag to get back in time. It would have been interesting had the throw hit.

Lands it on the fuller length, on middle and leg, Jonny Bairstow hits it off the thickish inside edge to mid on.

Over the wicket, on off and full, Prabhsimran Singh tucks it straight to mid on for a single.

Mustafizur Rahman has been handed the ball now.

FOUR! Spoils the over with a boundary! Aims the off stump on a slightly fuller length, Jonny Bairstow stays leg side of the ball and gets it through cover and mid off for a boundary.

Hits the deck hard on the top of the stumps, Jonny Bairstow plays it to mid on.

Another swing and a miss! Bairstow is really struggling out here! This one jags away with the angle, outside off, full in length, Jonny Bairstow swings and gets beaten on the outside edge this time.

Absolute peach! Nips back in on the hard length, on the middle, Jonny Bairstow gets hit on the back thigh pad and the ball rolls in front of Daryl Mitchell at first slip.

Swing and a miss! Shaping away on a length, outside off, Jonny Bairstow doesn't move his feet at all and tries to hoick it over the circle but misses again.

Starts off right on the money! On a hard length, outside off with a lovely seam position. Jonny Bairstow slashes off the back foot but misses out on the connection, and the ball sneaks past his inside edge to the keeper.

It will be the English right-arm seamer, Richard Gleeson, on debut, to operate from the other end.

12 off the first over, and Punjab are up and running! On the back of a length, angled on the pads, Jonny Bairstow tucks it with soft hands to square leg for a single to end the first over.

On a good length, outside off, and nips a bit away too. Prabhsimran Singh pats it covering his off-pole towards deep backward point for a single.

On the back of a length on the top of off, Prabhsimran Singh hops back and pats it solidly onto the pitch.

SIX! Oh, hello! Shardul bangs it short, and angles it on the leg stump line, Prabhsimran Singh stands tall on the bounce and pulls it over deep backward square leg for a handsome six. It took 16.2 overs for Chennai to hit the first six but it has taken Punjab just three balls.

Oh, what happened there? Deepak Chahar aborts on the load-up and seems to be struggling with a hamstring issue. Oh no, he is walking off the field, and this is a big blow for Chennai, who are already without Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande in this game. It will be Shardul Thakur to complete the over.

FOUR! Punjab and Prabhsimran Singh are off the mark! Short and outside off, Prabhsimran Singh cuts it in front of the square uppishly and clears the third-yard circle easily to get the first boundary at deep extra cover.

Chahar starts off right on the money with two slips in place. Short, wide outside off, shaping away. Prabhsimran Singh looks to cut but misses.

OUT! RUN OUT! And Dhoni gets out for the first time in this edition! A high full toss across off, MS Dhoni swings hard and loses the bottom hand from the bat. He slices it towards short third where Harshal Patel fails to catch it over his head and parries it behind him. He runs and chases the ball and throws it back to the keeper's end. MS Dhoni sprints to get back home by dragging his bat to complete the second. Jitesh Sharma picks up the throw from the deep and flashes the bails in a jiffy. The side-on replay shows that MS Dhoni is just short of his crease when the stumps are broken. Chennai finish at 162/7.

SIX! And there she goes into the stands! Big and handsome and Chepauk is echoing to its fullest! Arshdeep Singh continues to bowl a low full toss outside off, MS Dhoni bends low and smashes it well over deep extra covers for a huge maximum.

Short, and on the middle and leg stump line. MS Dhoni swings hard to pull it over but misses.

A single denied and Mitchell was really struggling to get back home. A low full toss across off, MS Dhoni plays it aerially towards deep extra cover and loses the grip of his hand. The ball lands safely ahead of the fielder in the deep. Mitchell almost gets to the batting end and retreats as he sees Dhoni standing his ground. The throw comes in from the deep and Mitchell is struggling to make his ground. Arshdeep opts to let the ball hit the stumps but Chahar misses the shy, allowing Mitchell to get back in.

WIDE! Keeps the angle away from the hitting arc of Dhoni and ends up spraying it way outside off. MS Dhoni reaches to it to slash it over the covers and misses. But it's deemed as a Wide.

Swing and a miss! A full toss gone begging to be hit. MS Dhoni swings but just doesn't connect.

FOUR! There comes the cracking boundary from MSD! A low full toss away from off, MS Dhoni muscles it though widish mid off and gets a boundary. No chance for the chasing fielder from long off as this has been smashed with sheer brute force.

WIDE! Oops! Sprays it way outside off way beyond the tramline. MS Dhoni leaves it and the Umpire calls it Wide.

It will be Arshdeep Singh (3-0-39-1) to bowl the last over.

Short, and outside off, MS Dhoni stands tall and pulls it well towards widish long on for a single. A sensational over from Rahul Chahar as he not only picks a wicket but just concedes three runs off the penultimate over.

Flatter, and quicker outside off, Daryl Mitchell punches it through cover-point for a single.

Daryl Mitchell is the new man in.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! What a sensational penultimate over this is turning out for Punjab! A gutsy call from Curran to bring Chahar and he does the trick. Flighted through the air and pitches around off on a fuller length. It sharply turns back into the southpaw after pitching. Moeen Ali gets low to sweep it over the leg side but he's beaten by the slower one and the turn, and plays it over the line of the ball. The ball sneaks through the inside edge and breaks into the stumps. A good cameo from Moeen comes to an end.

Quicker on off, and full in length, MS Dhoni works it to the off side for a single.

Slower through the air, on a length, down leg, MS Dhoni shuffles across off to ramp it away but misses.

Over the wicket, shade full, turning away from off, MS Dhoni rocks back and punches it to cover.

A big call from Sam Curran to hand Rahul Chahar (3-0-13-1) the ball for the penultimate over.

Wide full toss outside off, MS Dhoni drives it through cover-point for a single and retains his strike for the next over. A wicket but 15 runs off this over as well.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Excellent delivery to send the Chennai skipper into the hut! Cannons a pin-point yorker right at the base of the off-stump, it tails in a bit too. Ruturaj Gaikwad shuffles across the leg stump line to squeeze it out to the off side but he ends up giving himself too much room and fails to connect. The ball bamboozles the stumps in the blink of an eye. But an excellent captain's knock from Gaikwad. He departs on a valiant 62.

The decibel levels have gone up at the Chepauk, and yeah, you guessed it right, MS Dhoni is making his way out to the centre now.

WIDE! Follows the batter does Arshdeep and bangs it short way above the batter's head. Ruturaj Gaikwad who is already down the leg stump line leaves it. Wided.

Fuller in length, on off, Moeen Ali slices it over cover-point for a single on one bounce.

WIDE! Outside the tramline on a fuller length. Wide given. Jitesh Sharma asks Sam Curran to challenge the decision as he believes it is not a Wide. The TV Umpire confirms that Moeen Ali is standing in his normal position and the ball is passing outside the tramline. Punjab burn both their reviews now.

FOUR! Salt on the wounds! Overpitches this time on the middle, Moeen Ali again makes room for himself by clearing the front foot and swings it hard over mid on for a cracking boundary.

Yorker on off Moeen Ali digs it back to the bowler.

DROPPED AND SIX! Would you believe it? Pace on, fuller in length, on off, Moeen Ali clears his front foot and slaps it flat and uppishly towards long off. Jonny Bairstow mistimes the jump, gets his fingertips on the ball but parries over the fence.

WIDE! Slow, short and above the batter's head. Moeen Ali aborts from the shot. Wided.

A halt in play as the physio comes out to attend to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is experiencing some discomfort with his right thumb. Also, the fourth umpire is out with the box of balls, as the current one seems to have lost its shape. We are all good to go now. Arshdeep Singh comes back into the attack. He has been expensive so far, going for 24 runs in his two overs. Can he redeem himself here?

SIX! Up, and into the stands! He's getting into the groove now! Bangs it short in length, and keeps the line on the middle and leg stump, Ruturaj Gaikwad swivels and pulls it well over deep mid-wicket for a huge maximum. 20 runs off this over but Chennai need more of these for a stronger finish.

Full, angling away from off on a fuller length, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes for a front foot drive through covers but gets a thickish outside edge to backward point. No run.

Angles it on the leg stump line and keeps the length short, Moeen Ali pulls it along the carpet towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Short, outside off with pace off, Ruturaj Gaikwad hops back and works it down to long on for a single.

SIX! The first six of the evening and Ruturaj Gaikwad gets to another half-century in style. An un-Gaikwad fifty but he has held onto one end with responsibility. Full in length, across off, Ruturaj Gaikwad stays deep in the crease and smokes it up and handsome behind long on for a maximum. He overtakes Virat Kohli and becomes the leading run-scorer of this year's Indian T20 League. 500-plus runs for him now.

FOUR! A loosener from Curran. A high full toss outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad waits and cuts it over point for a boundary. Uh, oh! The Umpire has called it a No Ball and Sam Curran has challenged the decision. The side-on replay with the ball trajectory shows that the ball is clearly above the waist height and it is calculated as a No Ball and Punjab burn a review here. Free Hit to follow.

On the middle and leg, full in length, Moeen Ali flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Aims a yorker on the middle, Moeen Ali squeezes it out to deep mid-wicket for a single. An excellent spell from Kagiso Rabada comes to an end.

On the top of off, on a hard length, Ruturaj Gaikwad arches back and cuts it past the point region for a single.

Short again, outside the off-stump line, Moeen Ali stands tall and punches it to point for a single.

WIDE! Short of length, down leg, Moeen Ali misses to pull and the Umpire signals it as a Wide.

Moeen Ali walks in at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! A four and a wicket, and Rizvi who had a struggling stay at the middle walks back! Pace on, short in length again, around off, Sameer Rizvi arches back a bit and goes for an uppercut, but plays it too close to the body, aerially towards the deep third but ends up hitting straight to Harshal Patel at deep third who runs to his left and slides to complete the catch. He holds the pose for a few seconds and Chennai go further down the drain.

FOUR! A boundary off the bat for Chennai after 55 deliveries! Way outside off, on a short length, Sameer Rizvi shuffles to the off stump to cut it away but he gets a thickish inside edge that guns down to deep third for a boundary.

Bangs it short, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it with no real timing towards long on for just another single.

Kagiso Rabada (3-0-14-0) will bowl out now.

Good-length delivery, around off from over the wicket, Ruturaj Gaikwad drives it on the up in front of mid off and keeps the strike with a single. A much-needed productive over for Chennai, 12 runs off it.

The call is for 'two' and they get it! Slower and on a back of a length, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pats it in front of deep backward point and comes charging back for the second run. 100 comes up for Chennai.

Slower and on a short of a length, wide on off, Sameer Rizvi is made to reach out and ends up chopping it along the ground in front of point for a run.

Slips it on a fullish length, at the toes, Ruturaj Gaikwad clips it through square leg for one more run.

Takes pace off a touch and lands it on a length, on off and middle, Sameer Rizvi looks to hit through the line but fails to get the timing right once again. The batters cross as the ball rolls to long on for one.

Keeps it full and the line is much better this time, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad drives it towards extra cover and gets to the other end.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward start by Harshal Patel! Chennai get a boundary finally after 8 overs. Harshal comes from over the wicket and loses his radar as this is full and way down leg. Jitesh Sharma dives to his left but cannot get on the end of it and it races away for a boundary.

Harshal Patel has been introduced into the attack now.

Big swing and a miss! On a good length, around off, Sameer Rizvi goes for a big hoick across the line but connects with thin air. Rabada has his hands on his head as the ball was not that far away from making contact with the off stump. Another quiet over passes by.

Nails the yorker, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets his bat down and digs it out to mid on for a single.

Tucks the batter up for room, at 136 kph, on middle, on a back of a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad pats it off the back foot to backward point.

Lands it on a back of a length, on middle, Sameer Rizvi shapes up again to go big on the leg side. Fails to get the timing correct on this one and scuffs the shot to deep mid-wicket for one.

Hits the deck hard again, on middle, Sameer Rizvi goes deep in his crease and looks to lift it over mid-wicket inside the circle. Gets this one high on the bat but it is enough to clear the back tracking Harpreet Brar and collects a couple of runs.

Angling in, on a hard length, at the hips, Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it to deep backward square leg and he will have to be content with just a single.

Strategic Break! Well, the spin duo of Punjab, Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar have stemmed the flow of runs and have completely dominated the mid-overs phase by taking three big wickets in quick intervals. The ball is evidently gripping and getting a good purchase off the deck that has pushed Chennai on the back foot. It's been 42 balls since the last boundary and that tells you a story of how difficult it has gotten to score runs. Ruturaj Gaikwad, the skipper is fighting a lone battle here and he needs a responsible partner at the other end. Chennai will definitely look forward to break the shackles here and get some quick runs. Whereas, Punjab bowlers will aim to pile up on the pressure created by the spinners. Let's find out how this phase pans out. Kagiso Rabada (2-0-9-0) is back into the attack now.

Short and on the off-stump line, Ruturaj Gaikwad dabs it right under his eye line in front of point and retains the strike with a single. Brar is done for the night. A terrific job by the left-arm spinner as he finishes with figures of 4-0-17-2.

In the air...but it lands safely! Short and on middle, Sameer Rizvi goes back in his crease but fails to get the pull shot away in a fashion he would have liked. Mistimes it in the air but luckily for him, the ball lands to the left of Rilee Rossouw at deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and sliding on with the arm, on middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets forward to defend with a straight bat. Gets an inside edge that rolls behind square on the leg side for one.

Slower through the air, on a length, on the pads, Sameer Rizvi reaches out in front and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

At 89.3 kph, short and on off, Sameer Rizvi gets on the back foot and pats it towards cover.

Sliding on with the angle, short and at the pads, Sameer Rizvi misses the clip and gets hit high on the thigh pad.

Continues to give the ball air, full and at the stumps, Sameer Rizvi smothers the spin and tucks it wide of long on for a single to keep the strike.

Just in! Dishes out the googly, short and on middle, Sameer Rizvi hangs back and picks the googly to whip it to the right of long on. He decides to come back for the second run and has to put in the dive to make his ground at the batting end. Jitesh Sharma collects the throw from the deep and takes the bails off but the replays show that Rizvi was in by then and the dive saved the batter.

Is that out? Sameer Rizvi scampers back for the second run and puts in a full-stretched dive to get back in at the striker's end. The side-on replay shows that he is well in. NOT OUT pops up on the giant screen.

Skidding through, short and on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad hurriedly pulls it through square leg for a single.

Floats it up, full and on off, Sameer Rizvi gets on the front foot and drives it with a straight bat to long off for one more run.

There's that extra bounce! Short and outside off, Sameer Rizvi shapes up to glide it wide of short third but misses out due to the extra bounce on offer.

Drops it short and quicker, on off, Sameer Rizvi pulls but without much timing to short mid-wicket.

Slows it up again, full and on off, driven down to long on for one more run.

Tosses it up, full and on off, Sameer Rizvi presses forward and knocks it straight to cover.

Coming in with the arm, short and on off, Sameer Rizvi hangs back and stabs it down on the off side.

That almost carried to the man at cover! Slower through the air, on a nagging length, on off, Sameer Rizvi is through his shot early and chips it towards cover. It goes on the bounce to the diving Sam Curran. The batters cross as the ball is parried to the man at point. The throw at the bowling end is not backed up and the batters collect an extra run.

Excellent fielding! Fires it in, full and outside off, Sameer Rizvi looks to punch it through the off side. Gets an outside edge towards backward point where Rahul Chahar dives to his left to make the stop.

Pushes it through, full and on off, Sameer Rizvi does not move his feet much and knocks it to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

Drags his length, keeps the line on off, Sameer Rizvi tucks it to square leg for a quick single to get off the mark. The runs have dried up and boundaries are hard to come by. Another successful and an economical over for Punjab.

Ajinkya Rahane has been subbed off by Chennai. The Impact Player, Sameer Rizvi comes out to bat now.

OUT! LBW! A confident appeal for LBW and again, the Umpire raises his finger! Ravindra Jadeja first walks away but then Ruturaj Gaikwad convinces him to challenge the decision!  Rahul Chahar flights this on off and turns it sharply into the southpaw on a fuller length, Ravindra Jadeja gets a stride forward to push it back to the bowler but he plays all over the line of the ball as he didn't anticipate it to turn. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker confirms that the ball is hitting the leg stump after pitching outside off. Chennai has burnt both the reviews and is in deep, deep trouble here with Jadeja too walking back to the shed. Three quick wickets for Punjab and the spinners have wreaked havoc.

Flighted-delivery on the middle stump line, Ruturaj Gaikwad plays it closer to the body and guides it to point for a quick single.

Flatter, shorter and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja cuts it off the back foot towards deep extra cover for a single.

On off, on a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad stays tall and tucks it to long on for one.

Gets a little bit of grip, down the leg and turns it sharply back into the batter from outside leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad rocks back to pull but misses to get hit on his body.

Short, quick and on the middle, Ravindra Jadeja tucks it to mid-wicket off the back foot. A successful over for Brar and Punjab. Two big wickets from this one.

Slower, on the fuller length, and on the middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad drives it to long on for a single.

Across off, full in length, Ravindra Jadeja drags it to long on along the ground for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja walks out to the middle.

OUT! LBW! A huge appeal for LBW and up goes the finger! But Shivam Dube has straightaway reviewed it. Brar continues to come from around the wicket and drops it on the leg stump line, and gets it to turn into the batter as well on a fuller length. Dube gets down on his knee to slog it over the leg side but he plays over the wrong line and the ball pings his pad. UltraEdge shows no bat is involved and the Ball Tracker confirms the ball is pitching inside the stump line and shows three reds as it is hitting the middle stump. A huge, huge blow for Chennai as Shivam Dube goes for a golden duck this time without troubling the scorers.

WIDE! Darted down leg, on a length. Wide given.

Shivam Dube is in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! First one down for Chennai and it's the scalp of Ajinkya Rahane who was itching to strike the spinners. Flighted-delivery on the middle and the length is fuller, Ajinkya Rahane reaches to it and gets down on his knee before sweeping it up in the air. He gets it off the toe-end of the bat and doesn't get the desired distance and power on it. The ball sails over mid-wicket and Rilee Rossouw from the deep mid-wicket region runs forward and settles underneath it by reverse-cupping it. Chennai lose their first one.

Around the wicket, on off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it to covers.

Looped up on the fuller length, on off, Ajinkya Rahane gets forward and drives it inside out to long off for another single. So, two tidy overs from the spinners. Just 4 from this one.

Short, on the top of the middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane cuts it straight to the point fielder.

Goes shorter and on the top of the middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for one.

Pitches it way fuller and on the middle and leg stump line, Ajinkya Rahane drives it down the ground to the left of long on for a single.

Around off on a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad punches it off the back foot through covers for an easy single.

Slides it outside off and lands it fuller, Ruturaj Gaikwad cuts it but couldn't get it past point.

Strategic break! Chennai will be delighted with this start. For the first time this season, they have not lost a wicket in the Powerplay, and Ajinkya Rahane and Ruturaj Gaikwad are going along nicely in building a platform. Punjab started well with the ball, but they took a beating in the last two overs of the Powerplay. The visitors will need wickets in the middle phase, and they will bank on their spin duo of Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar to do the job for them. As expected, Chahar will bowl after the break.

Flighted fuller on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad drives it inside out to long off for a single to end the over. A tidy one to start with from Brar.

Short in length, drifts it on the pads, Ajinkya Rahane gets on the back foot and glances it to deep square leg for a singe.

A bit quicker and turns away from off, on a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad cuts it well through point for a single.

Drags his length a bit on middle, Ajinkya Rahane tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Brings the angle into the batter, drifts it on the leg stump line on a length, Ajinkya Rahane flicks it to short fine.

Tossed up on off, full in length, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets ahead, eases it to covers for a single.

First look at spin on this fresh surface as Harpreet Brar comes on to bowl.

FOUR! Elegance, pure elegance! On the top of off, keeps the length hard, Ajinkya Rahane cuts it well through point for another boundary. Just the kind of Powerplay Chennai was wishing for! End of the first six and they are cruising now at 55/0. And this is the first time that Chennai hasn't lost any wicket inside the mandatory Powerplay this season.

FOUR! Oh, that's terrific timing and what a way to bring up the 50 for his team! Shade full and across off, Ajinkya Rahane gets ahead and meets the ball with the middle of the blade before caressing it through cover-point for a boundary.

FOUR! One bounce and a boundary! Same length, on middle and off, Ajinkya Rahane is inside his crease and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The ball lands just a few meters before the ropes.

FOUR LEG BYES! Gets some inward movement on this one, and lands it outside leg on a length, Ajinkya Rahane misses to flick and the ball brushes off his pads before racing away to the deep fine leg fence.

Almost a half-tracker on the middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad walks down a couple of steps and pats it to the right of mid on and steals a quick single.

On the back of a length, on top of middle, Ajinkya Rahane gets on the back foot and turns it to deep square leg for a single.

Sam Curran (1-0-3-0) to continue.

FOUR! Uppish but it goes through the gap! Slower and on a back of a length, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad slashes hard at the delivery and gets a thickish outside edge. The ball goes aerially but to the right of short third for another boundary.

Half a shout for LBW but that hooped back in a long way and would have gone down leg! Comes from around the wicket and gets the ball to tail back in sharply, fuller in length, Ruturaj Gaikwad is late to account for the sharp inward movement and misses out on the flick. Gets rapped low on the front pad but the umpire is unmoved.

FOUR! It is Ruturaj Gaikwad this time who cashes in on the width! Arshdeep gets the line wrong and there is not much pace behind it, short and wide on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad frees his arms and keeps the shot along the ground. Hits it to the right of diving backward point fielder for a boundary.

Slows it up and lands it on a good length, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane is through his cut shot early and scuffs it in front of point for a single.

FOUR! Flayed away! Arshdeep errs in line as he offers width and this is short as well, Ajinkya Rahane needs no second invitation as he throws his hands and gets it to the left of deep backward point for a boundary.

Tucks the batter up for room does Arshdeep as he bowls it top of middle, on a hard length, Ruturaj Gaikwad steers it wide of short third for a single.

Arshdeep Singh (1-0-10-0) switches his end and replaces Kagiso Rabada.

Swing and a miss! Takes pace off and serves it on a good length, angling away, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane swings through the line again to loft it back over the bowler but connects with thin air. A quiet first over by Sam Curran.

At 129.2 kph, much fuller, on off, Ajinkya Rahane stays still in his crease and swings to go back over the bowler's head. The bat turns in his hand and he fails to get the elevation. Mishits it along the ground back to the bowler.

This is on a length, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad presents a high elbow and punches it square to deep point for a single.

Takes pace off does Curran and gets the line wrong, on a back of a length, on the pads, Ruturaj Gaikwad clips it in front of square on the leg side and comes back for the second run.

Shaping in a touch, on a back of a length, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad plays it close to his body as he defends it down the deck.

Beats the bat straight away does the Punjab skipper! Starts with a wobble-seam delivery, full and angling across the batter, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad has a feel for the delivery as he gets on the front foot. The ball holds its line and whizzes past the outside edge.

Sam Curran, the skipper of Punjab brings himself to the attack. He replaces Arshdeep Singh.

FOUR! Not exactly where he intended but Ajinkya Rahane will take it! Fuller in length and in the corridor of off, Ajinkya Rahane goes for the drive but he plays it away from his body. Gets an outside edge that races along the ground and beats deep backward point to his left for a boundary.

On a fullish length and straying on the pads, Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it off his toes to fine leg for a single.

Keeps it on a hard length, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad glides it down to short third where he picks out the fielder.

Loose shot and Ruturaj Gaikwad is lucky to get away with it! In the channel on off, on a good length, Ruturaj Gaikwad has a waft at the delivery away from his body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Leg bye! A bit too straight by Rabada, on a good length, on the pads, Ajinkya Rahane has a swipe across the line but he is late on the shot. The ball thuds his thigh pad and rolls behind on the leg side for a leg bye.

Length delivery, on off, Ajinkya Rahane angles the bat face and drives it neatly but can't get it past cover-point.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! At 134.4 kph, on a back of a length, outside off, the ball does not rise as expected, Ruturaj Gaikwad manages to get underneath it and plays the upper-cut over first slip for a boundary. 50th boundary of this year's Indian T20 League for the Chennai skipper.

Going across the batter, on a hard length, Ajinkya Rahane stays leg side of the ball and steers it down to deep third for one more run.

Good hand! Pitches it up in search of swing, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets a good stride in and drives it sweetly towards cover where the fielder dives to his right and parries the ball towards mid off. They cross.

FOUR! Relied on timing and got the reward! This is on a hard length, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad allows the ball to come to him and gets on top of the bounce nicely. Punches it to the right of deep point and picks up the first boundary of the night.

Beaten! Lands it on a hard length and gets a bit of extra bounce off the surface. Ruturaj Gaikwad pokes at the delivery outside off and he is lucky not to nick this one behind.

Oh...that has not bounced at all! Arshdeep comes from over the wicket and angles it across the batter, short of a good length, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad shapes up for the cut but the ball keeps low and sneaks under the angled bat of the Chennai skipper. The ball goes on the bounce to the keeper, Jitesh Sharma.

Arshdeep Singh to operate from the other end for Punjab.

Drags his length back and keeps the line outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on the back foot and runs it down to deep third. Keeps the strike with a single. A tidy first over by Rabada.

The second slip comes off and Rabada goes full, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad times the drive well but can't get it through the infield on the off side.

Continues to hit the deck hard, on off, Ajinkya Rahane rides the bounce well and plays it late to dab it to the left of backward point for one more run.

Closer to the off-stump line, on a back of a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad hangs back in his crease and guides it with an open bat face down to deep third. Gets off the mark with a single.

Another one from Rabada that nips back in, on a hard length, Ajinkya Rahane adjusts well this time as he gets on his toes and tucks it behind square on the leg side. Ajinkya Rahane and Chennai are away with a single!

Oh hello! Kagiso Rabada greets Ajinkya Rahane with an absolute snorter! Steams in from over the wicket and digs it in short, at the helmet of the batter, Ajinkya Rahane does not expect the ball to jag back into him and hops back to fend it down. Gets it off the gloves and the ball drops it near his feet.

We are all in readiness for this high-octane clash to begin at Chepauk! The two umpires are already out to the middle. Sam Curran marshals his troops and the players of Punjab take their respective field positions. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane are two openers for Chennai. Kagiso Rabada will open the attack for Punjab. Here we go...

The captain of Chennai, Ruturaj Gaikwad says that they would have bowled first as well. Joking says that looking at his toss record, most of the team members were prepared to bat first. Tells that it is tough to defend here in Chennai with a lot of dew. Adds that the margin of victory against Hyderabad speaks volumes about the improvement in their bowling as compared to the game against Lucknow. Shares that with this being a red soil surface, it is different from what they are used to here. Further says that he is not sure how the surface will play and will assess it during their batting effort. Informs that Matheesha Pathirana misses out due to a niggle and Tushar Deshpande is unwell. Ends by saying that Shardul Thakur comes into the side as does Richard Gleeson, who will be making his debut.

The skipper of Punjab, Sam Curran says that they will bowl first. He says it's a good surface and is excited to play on the fresh pitch. Adds that it is an amazing stadium with a fantastic crowd. Tells that it is crunch time for them to be brave. Says they take a lot of pride in the way they played the last game and would like to continue with the momentum. Informs they are going with the same side.

Impact players nominated by Punjab - Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Harpreet Singh, Rishi Dhawan and Vidwath Kaverappa.

Punjab (Unchanged Playing XI) - Sam Curran (C), Jonny Bairstow, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Rahul Chahar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact players nominated by Chennai - Sameer Rizvi, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, Shaik Rasheed and Prashant Solanki.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (WK), Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur (In for Tushar Deshpande), Richard Gleeson (On debut) (In for Matheesha Pathirana), Mustafizur Rahman.

TOSS - Sam Curran calls 'tails' and tails it is. Punjab have won the toss and they have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison and Matthew Hayden are at the 22 yards. Danny Morrison begins by saying that it's a brand new pitch and also informs the dimensions of the ground. Says it is 70 meters and 63 meters to the square and just 60 meters down the ground. Matthew Hayden joins him and states that it has a lot of grass covering and the surface is rock hard. Also adds that the red soil keeps it harder and reckons that spinners will have a huge role to play. Also expects a good bounce and carry. Says there will be dew which might be a concern for the team bowling second. Ends up by saying that the team winning the toss should bowl first.

On the other hand, Punjab too have the momentum behind them, having successfully pulled off the highest chase in T20 cricket in their previous encounter against Kolkata. The visitors are placed 8th in the standings with 3 wins from 9 games, and their fans will be hoping that the historic night in Kolkata ignites a dream run towards the playoffs. The return of skipper Shikhar Dhawan will serve as a massive boost to their batting stocks, with a call on his participation to be taken before the game. However, if he misses out again, the centurion from the last game, Jonny Bairstow, along with Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, will have a more crucial role to play. The bowling unit has not done badly, conceding 200 only once so far, and the likes of Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, and Kagiso Rabada will have to bring their A-game. Who are you backing to take the two points home? Stick around for the toss and team news.

The hosts, Chennai, are riding high on confidence after a convincing win over Hyderabad and are eager to strengthen their position in the points table. A victory in this match could potentially propel them to second place, provided they win by a significant margin, setting them up nicely for the upcoming away fixtures. Ruturaj Gaikwad, in his debut season as captain, has been leading from the front with the bat, scoring runs consistently at a brisk pace. Shivam Dube too has been in excellent form, showcasing his clean-hitting abilities in almost every match but Ajinkya Rahane is yet to make a substantial impact, and Daryl Mitchell needs to step up at number 3. With Mustafizur Rahman likely to join the national team for the home series against Zimbabwe, after this match, Chennai will need other bowlers like Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande to continue their good performances with the ball.

Hello and a warm welcome to everyone tuning in to our coverage of match number 49 of the 2024 Indian T20 League between Chennai and Punjab at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. While the scales may tip in favour of Punjab with their flawless record of winning the past four meetings, Chennai's dominance on their home turf signals an impending clash of titans.

... MATCH DAY ...

In the 2024 Indian T20 League, the matches keep coming thick and fast, and now it's time for match number 49, where Chennai will face Punjab at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This game marks the conclusion of Chennai's three-match home run before they hit the road for away fixtures. Chennai has been formidable at home, and they will be keen to clinch another victory on their familiar turf before venturing away. In their recent clash against Hyderabad, Ruturaj Gaikwad led the charge, supported by contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Shivam Dube, propelling Chennai to a formidable total of 212. Their bowlers were equally impressive, bowling out Hyderabad's strong batting unit for just 134 runs. In terms of batting, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the linchpin for Chennai, well-supported by Shivam Dube. Following his fifty in the last game, fans will be optimistic that Daryl Mitchell has regained his form, while they will also expect runs from Ajinkya Rahane. On the bowling front, overseas talents Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman have been standout performers for Chennai. Tushar Deshpande's four-wicket haul in the previous game was noteworthy, and with Ravindra Jadeja providing steady support, these are all good signs for Chennai as they approach the crucial stages of the tournament. On the flip side, Punjab enter this match on the back of a historic victory, where they successfully chased down 262 runs against Kolkata. Pulling off the highest successful chase in T20 cricket history, they carry significant momentum and aim to capitalize on it against Chennai, who have been formidable at home. The biggest positive of that win was the return to form of Prabhsimran Singh and Jonny Bairstow, with the latter crafting an unbeaten century. Punjab continue to fret over the availability of their skipper Shikhar Dhawan, who has been out of action due to a shoulder injury. His return will serve as a massive boost to their batting which has witnessed the emergence of stars in Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. After conceding 261 runs against Kolkata, Punjab's bowling unit will be keen to make amends. The pace quartet of Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Harshal Patel will shoulder much of the responsibility. On that night in Kolkata when bowlers across both teams took a beating, leggie Rahul Chahar was a cut above the rest, going for just 33 runs in his four overs and he will hold the key in Chennai. Punjab have the wood over Chennai, winning 4 of the previous 5 meetings. Will Punjab extend their dominance? We shall find out.