Video of KL Rahul 98* runs in 42 balls : Winning Six : CSK vs PBKS

PBKS vs CSK, 07 October 2021, 3:30 PM IST

Match Result : Punjab Kings won by 6 wkts

Player of the Match : KL Rahul

Match Report : Brilliant victory for PBKS. Owner Preity Zinta was very happy in the stands. PBKS came into this game needing a big win. KL chose to bowl to have a target in mind and be clear of what they needed to do. They restricted CSK to 134, the total could have been lower if the bowling was as brilliant as the first half. And then KL took over with the bat.

He’s said before that he’s not happy to play within himself having to shoulder the batting. But today he must be very happy to have taken the aggressive route. He certainly didn’t have any other option. A win within 10-11 overs would have given them a better NRR, but by finishing in 13 overs, they have definitely gone over MI. PBKS now need RR to win big like MI and then SRH to down MI.

But honestly, they didn’t have to scrap for NRR with all these permutations and combinations. That jawdropping 2-run loss and then the 6-run loss to RCB has cost them too much. It’s been a story of throwing away games from their own bag for quite some time.

CSK in IPL 2021:
Batting 1st: Mat 9 | Won 4 | Lost 5
Batting 2nd: Mat 5 | Won 5 | Lost 0

Aiden Markram: “Been brilliant. It is a tournament where I have been involved with these great bunch of guys. Too many to pick from. He (Rahul) needs to enjoy that. He has done something special tonight. It was unbelievable to watch.

I think you always need to upscale. So I am spending more hours. It is also about learning as to how the best go about their business. Today was an example.”

MS Dhoni | CSK skipper: “You have to cope (when it comes to mental or skill aspect) up with that. We had played very good cricket to reach the playoff stages. We had a few bad games 2 out of 3 and one we felt like we could have a comeback and that’s part and parcel d in leagues like these, you have to be at your best.

Motivation is not a factor, the guys are highly motivated and maybe we need to tune up slightly as to what needs to be done and also a few tosses if they had gone our way. It would have looked worse winning toss and batting on that wicket and I felt the wicket changed a bit, it was a bit challenging but it was a good wicket.”

KL Rahul : “It was really hot today. Plan was simple. The numbers guys told us a few permutations and combinations.We wanted to score it before 14 overs. Just one of those days when it comes off. Had complete clarity of what I wanted to do.

I feel like I may end up letting the team down if I play how I want to play. But today, this was how I needed to play. Today was one of those days where I could hit every ball. No better feeling than hitting the ball from the middle of the bat.”

Points table update: Punjab move to fifth, going above Mumbai Indians on net run rate. Now they need to hope for two things: first, Kolkata lose big tonight (lose by about 71 runs, chasing 180) and then hope Mumbai lose tomorrow.

For now, here’s a stat that reflects their so-close-yet-so-far seasons: Kings have now finished on 12 points for the fourth season in a row”