CSK’s dismal start to IPL 2022 gets worse; massive loss against PBKS takes their losing streak to 3 games in a row
This has to be one of the worst starts of an IPL season for the defending champions, CSK. They have now lost three matches on the trot, and things don’t look good for them.
After losing their second game after a bowling failure, they lost one due to batting.
The match didn’t start well for them, courtesy to an absolute belter inning by Livingstone. CSK was able to pick two quick wickets at the start of the inning.
They dismissed Mayank Agarwal and Rajapaksha for cheap scores. But couldn’t contain Liam Livingstone.
Liam Livingstone’s fabulous inning
The English allrounder was in hot fire form today. He blasted Mukesh Choudhary for 22 runs to announce his arrival and then sent every bowler to the bleaches. Shikar Dhawan joined him and together the duo added 95 runs for the third wicket.
After their fanatics, youngster Jitesh Sharma played a quick-fire inning to see his side over a respectable total of 180 runs.
It was excellent damage control on CSK’s part. From conceding 150 odd runs in 15 overs, they managed to limit Punjab to 180 runs.
The credit for this goes to some excellent bowling by Chris Jordan and Pretorius. They bowled some economical overs towards the end and managed to pick four wickets between them.
At the end of the first inning, CSK required 180 runs to register their first season victory.
Considering their last outing on the same ground and the nature of the tournament, everyone thought them to be the favourite.
CSK has posted a mammoth total of 210 in the last game against LSG. Hence, they were supposed to be the favourite in this match.
Things refused to go in their favour, though.
CSK’s woes with bat in hand resurface
Ruturaj Gaikwad was the first wicket to fall in the second over of the game. Following this, wickets fell almost in the bunch. And by the end of the powerplay, CSK were 27/4.
There was some fightback shown by Shivam Dube, who scored a quickfire 50. But his solo inning went in vain as he couldn’t find any support.
As a result of constant pressure, CSK couldn’t stand the strain. And they fell well short of the target.
Surprisingly, Rahul Chahar and Liam Livingstone were the stand-out bowlers for Punjab. They picked five wickets between them to dismiss the batting line-up of CSK.
This massive 54 run loss means that CSK will slip down to the last position on the points table. They and their fans will hope that this is not another season like 2020, where they failed to qualify for playoffs.
As for Punjab Kings, they will be happy to return to winning ways, that too in style.
