Punjab Kings Stun Chennai Super Kings, Knock CSK Out of IPL 2025 Playoffs

Punjab Kings won a nail-biting four-wicket victory against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk Stadium which denied CSK qualification to the IPL 2025 playoffs. PBKS successfully chased 191 after Shreyas Iyer hit 72 runs from 41 balls, while spinner Yuzvendra Chahal claimed a historical hat-trick against CSK which kept their score at 190.

The batting lineup of CSK began on a good note as Sam Curran hit 88 runs during his 47-ball innings following PBKS's decision to bat first. The two batsmen built a strong 78-run alliance through their partnership that involved Sam Curran (88) and Dewald Brevis (32). Chahal executed the season's first hat-trick during the 19th over by dismissing MS Dhoni followed by Deepak Hooda and finishing his combo with Anshul Kamboj before claiming Noor Ahmad. Lake Chahal dismissed four CSK batters to maintain their batting total at 190.

PBKS’s chase hit a snag early when Khaleel Ahmed dismissed Priyansh Arya. However, Iyer, who earned Player of the Match, and Prabhsimran Singh, with a quick 54 off 36, steadied things with a fiery 50-plus stand. By the halfway mark, PBKS were cruising at 88/1. CSK fought back late through Ravindra Jadeja and Matheesha Pathirana, who snagged key wickets, but PBKS stayed calm. A fortunate boundary off the bat’s edge in the 19.4th over sealed the win, with PBKS ending at 194/6.

The defeat was a tough blow for CSK, their fifth loss at home this season, disappointing the Chepauk faithful. With just two wins in 10 matches, CSK, led by MS Dhoni in place of the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad, became the first team eliminated from the playoffs of IPL 2025. Dhoni admitted the batting had improved but pointed to dropped catches and a slightly short total as key issues. PBKS, now second in the standings with 13 points, boosted their playoff chances with this win.