Punjab Kings secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at CSK’s home ground in match 49 of the IPL 2024 season. Restricting the ‘Yellow Brigade’ to a mere 162 runs, courtesy of Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar, the visitors chased down the target with over two overs to spare.
Following the match, Punjab Kings skipper Sam Curran praised the combined performance of his two spinners and expressed satisfaction with the team’s momentum as the season approaches its crucial stage.
Sam Curran mentions that PBKS will maintain confidence from their 1-0 win over CSK
Sam Curran, who scored an undefeated 26 runs during the chase, expressed his joy after defeating CSK on their home ground. The English player commended Kagiso Rabada, the new-ball fast bowler, for initiating the momentum for Punjab Kings at the beginning of the match. He also stated that the team aims to continue their winning streak.
During his address at the post-match presentation ceremony, he remarked: “Very happy. Anytime coming to Chennai and getting two points is a special feeling. We are winning away from home than at home last season. It’s about finding the right balance and keep the momentum going and let the table do the rest. Have to keep winning. The conditions are such that we had to win the toss and bowled well. KG bowled well and set the tone for us.”
Sam Curran also commended spinners Rahul Chahar (2-16) and Harpreet Brar (2-17) for breaking down CSK’s top-order, following a brisk 64-run opening partnership by Ajinkya Rahane and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Curran also recognized Chahar’s economical penultimate over to MS Dhoni, during which the leg-spinner only allowed three runs and dismissed Moeen Ali. The Punjab Kings skipper remarked:
“The spinners were great Rahul Chahar and Brar bowled well. Chahar bowling to MS in the 19th over was great and showed great courage. I got hit a bit. The pacers got hit. Spinners were bowling well. This game can be cruel and we need to be creative as well.”
Sam Curran is cautious about his team’s upcoming match against CSK, as they are scheduled to play the defending champions again in a few days. He mentioned that after a convincing victory in their first encounter, his Punjab Kings squad will be looking to build confidence in Dharamshala.
“We come against the same opposition and are 1-0 up against them. We will take the confidence going ahead. Everything happened well and happy with the 2 points.”
Punjab Kings, led by Sam Curran, will take on CSK in match 53 of the IPL 2024 season on May 5th.
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