Pune shattered the defending champions’ dream spectacularly, Edgbaston Stadium turning into the perfect theatre for a stunning turnaround. The wait is presumably over for the Emirates, who scored the highest ever fifth-over score in T20s (55 runs) as they surged to a massive 45-run lead, effectively silencing the Mopeds. This was all about intent from ball one and Chennai couldn’t find their footing, with Ravindra Jadeja needing nearly two full innings and 200 balls to reach his half-century on a surface that looked increasingly helpful to the stroke-takers. The pitch swung from being aggressive on day one back towards the bowlers on day two.
G活塞 pushed hard early on, but the pitch conditions, often favoured for batting depth, stayed true to form. Dinesh Karthik’s forgettable vigil continued at number six, and the middle order couldn’t engineer a recovery. A slow fall from 80/3 to 140/9 exposed deficiencies in execution. Skipper MS Dhoni’s 38-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (49) failed to deliver a compelling total, with the Mopeds struggling to convert starts into big scores against a disciplined attack, albeit one that hasn’t led the run rate charts for long. A victory has been elusive for Amla’s men all season, a fourth consecutive loss wasn’t getting any easier either.
While a few match figures look skin-deep with a record fourth-wicket stand not being part of their narrative, Kuldeep Yadav bowled with excellent length and induced genuine pressure when it mattered. The successful death spell from Josh Hazlewood conceded just four runs from six balls, a testament to the pitch conditions favouring patience rather than raiding. But throughout the day, the Mopeds appeared hopelessly outmatched.
Responding, their bowlers stuck to their guns as the pitch became clearly more bowler-friendly. The powerplay ended for Pune with Sam Curran (3/18) doing the bulk of his job. Deepak Chahar added three wickets for 30 runs, striking terror into the middle order. Primarily, it was Patel whose figures of 3/14 showed immense effectiveness combined with variation. Facing the spinners, it was largely the trio of Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, and Glenn Phillips who pushed the score along.
Buttler ignited the chase with a typically ruthless cameo, dispatching six fours in his ten-ball blitz. The focus shifted to his partners. Conway was deceptive, maintaining a high strike rate (129) with a strike-push that sent covers and mid-off scurrying. His sharp reflexes prevented a comfortable attacking flurry, imposing rhythm on his half-century. The surface might be attacking, but batting well demands control, not just hitting boundaries. When the big hitters occasionally arrived – Phillips sending the ball sailing over long-on – the boundaries looked more elusive when they put their head down. Steadiness was required, and it was offered by two lower-order warriors. Omkar VT’s magnificent unbeaten 34 from 22 balls, including a breathtaking six over deep midwicket, briefly gave the chase hope, while the brilliant debut of Akash Deep (21 from 16 balls) kept them marching forward.
The breakthrough came when the tail wagged its tail. Hardik Pandya’s assured 30 (24) lacked partners to run in, set up effectively by his captain. Simulating KL Rahul’s felling on the day perhaps prevented a Pune victory of more consequence, but certainly not one worn lightly. Finally, after an eight-wicket capitulation, the single-handed fightback kept Chennai within touching distance with nine required off 12 balls and the bowlers looking nervous. Josh Hazlewood found the yorker, slippery yet effective, walking in and landing the ball safely, trapping Rishabh Pant moving forward for a stunning catch at deep cover. That single wicket was the final incision that drew blood. The impasse was broken, the chase complete.
Chennai Super Kings took 1hr 53min to reach 192/4 evening stumps, pushed there primarily by two magnificent warriors: Glenn Phillips and Omkar VT. Glenn Phillips hit 24 from 15 balls with a strike of 129.63, while Omkar VT added 34 from a tournament-low 22 balls at 151.67. For Punjab Kings, Akash Deep provided a consistent early seam package before its middle and death spell, while Deepak Chahar, with three scalps including a pair, provided dictate bowler quality in the crucial middle overs just like in the first innings.
The pitch served its purpose – often promoting attacking cricket unless teams wicket in hand, but offering some seam movement in the initial phases. This was not Mumbai’s day despite the early dominance, nor was it largely Chennai’s day before the final stage. But if the chase, powered by two meticulous stroke-pullers early, handed over three quick wickets for 33 runs – a severe dent similar to MS Dhoni’s departures – every team can feel they can win on this ground. Pitch report: Excellent medium & fast. Maybe the swing will fade after Thursday. Good boundaries but good fielding too.
Weather conditions were ideal throughout, another typically balmy English evening providing perfect batting weather felt by those playing and watching. Kieron Pollard remained unavailable Thursday morning. This surface, described as “good batting wicket” makes sense of that assessment. Requires smart hitting unless partnerships are forced, but generally offers reward alongside difficulty for contentment. The match pace felt quick at times, but this season it doesn’t quite feel less congested.
