In a high-stakes IPL 2025 showdown, Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a match-defining performance to power Punjab Kings to victory over Chennai Super Kings. With CSK cruising at 172-4 in the 18th over, Chahal’s devastating over flipped the game on its head. The leg-spinner claimed four wickets in six balls, including the season's first hat-trick, dismissing key players like MS Dhoni and Deepak Hooda. This marked Chahal's second career IPL hat-trick, placing him among a rare group of bowlers to achieve the feat more than once.
Sam Curran's explosive 88 off 47 had earlier positioned CSK for a total well above 200. However, the sudden collapse triggered by Chahal restricted CSK to 190 all out in 19.2 overs. The collapse also signaled the end of CSK's playoff hopes, marking their eighth loss in ten matches.
Chasing 194, Punjab Kings executed their innings with composure. Captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the chase with a steady 72, while Prabhsimran Singh added a crucial 54 at the top. Their calculated approach ensured PBKS reached the target with two balls to spare.
This win not only revitalized Punjab’s playoff aspirations but also exposed glaring inconsistencies in CSK’s middle-order resilience and pressure handling.
