So 107 is what Chennai need to hand their skipper a victory in his 200th game for Chennai. This should be a relatively easy chase. Punjab will have to bowl out of their skin to make this even look competitive. Can Punjab do something astronomical or will it be a walk in the park for Chennai? Join us for the chase to find out.
The star of the evening so far, Deepak Chahar is caught for a chat. Chahar says there was a bit more seam than swing and tells they bowled the right areas. Chahar admits last year was difficult for all of them.  Tells last year he was in quarantine for 28 days and came back after just 4 days which was very difficult for him. Tells they got time to prepare and they executed well. Chahar says that chasing 107 should be easy and hopes they can finish well.
A shambolic batting display from Punjab. They will be very thankful that they could buy Shahrukh Khan and Jhye Richardson. As the two were the top two scorers for their side and saved a lot of blushes. Shahrukh Khan in particular was the sole batter who showed some fight. If not for his efforts Punjab would have struggled to get to a three-digit score. Abysmal performance from Punjab to sum it up.
It was the Deepak Chahar show with Jadeja playing the supporting role. Chahar derailed the Punjab innings before it even started going. His 4/14 just murdered Punjab's top order and set the platform for Chennai. Barring Shardul Thakur, every other bowler was on the money. Moeen, Curran, and Bravo were the other two with wickets. Jadeja was economical and a livewire on the field as his brilliant throw got rid of Rahul early on and you can't forget his diving catch to dismiss Gayle.Â
A total trainwreck of an innings from Punjab. Chennai have bulldozed them with the ball in hand and unless a tragic calamity, they are well on course to get their first win of the season. The lions from Chennai were wounded and they have pounced back with their sharp claws and teeth.Â
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Fuller length ball outside off, Shami hangs on the back foot and throws the kitchen sink at it. Ends up slicing it behind point and collects a single. Punjab end on 106/8!
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball around off, angling away, Shami tries his best to connect with his slog across the line but misses.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, NOT ! On a length and outside off, leaving the batsman, Shami throws his bat and slices it over point. He wants to steal the second run, the throw comes to Dhoni who collects and throws it onto the stumps. They appeal and it's referred upstairs. The replays find Shami safe.
Run out appeal taken upstairs.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball landig around leg, Shami clears his front leg and heaves it in front of square leg for two.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Superb execution of slower ones by Chennai. Sam runs his fingers and delivers a length ball outside off, Shami swings and misses.
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, ! CAUGHT! The sole batter who showed some fight and took Punjab to a respectable total is out of here too. Shahrukh Khan falls short of a well-deserved fifty but he can go back with his head held high. Sam Curran gets his first wicket of the game. He rolls his finger on it and bangs it short. Shahrukh Khan pulls it but with no timing. He finds Jadeja at deep mid-wicket. Worst fielder to pick because he will never drop those. Once again no mistake from Jaddu
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Curran bowls a slower length ball way wide outside off, Khan throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Slower one again fools the batsman. Following the batsman down the leg side, a low dipping full toss, Shami is early into the shot and is hit on the pads.
Sam Curran to bowl the final over of the innings.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, 100 up for Punjab! Bravo angles it into the batsman who connects and sends it racing away to the deep mid-wicket region. Moeen manning that region rushes across to his left, puts in a slide and saves two runs for his team.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Another swing and a miss! Bravo takes the pace off this one and delivers it around middle and leg, Shami opens up for a big heave but misses. It goes closely past the leg stump.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Back of a length delivery, around off and cutting away, Shami tries to pull but misses.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, A low dipping full toss outside off, Shahrukh hammers it past the outstretches left hand of the bowler for a run at long off.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Good length ball on middle, Shami rotates his wrists and works it through square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, EDGY ! Doesn't matter how they come at this stage. Thakur goes short and delivers it outside off at 129 kph, Shahrukh attempts for the pull shot but it flies off the top edge and goes behind Dhoni for a boundary. Valuable runs. 9 from the over!
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Too full in length on middle, Khan clips it to deep mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Thakur deceives SRK with a slower one this time. Bowls it on a length and outside off, at 116 kph, Khan swishes and misses.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Fuller in length and outside off at 138 kph, Shahrukh winds up for a big shot down the ground but it skids past the outside edge.
Shardul Thakur to Mohammed Shami, Width on offer outside off, Shami reaches out for it and flashes his blade through the line. Ends up slicing it behind backward point for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fuller in length and outside off, Shahrukh throws his bat at it and rockets it over covers. Finds the deep fielder though and hence only a run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Good length delivery but too wide outside off, Khan leaves it.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Length ball on off, Shami taps it to point to see off the over. 6 runs and a wicket off Bravo's first.Â
Mohammed Shami is the new man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, ! CAUGHT! Murugan Ashwin departs and Bravo too joins the party. Gets his first wicket in his first over. Good length ball on off, Murugan Ashwin looks to hit it on the up but ends up scooping it to mid off. Faf du Plessis keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a simple catch.
Time Out! Chennai continue to be on top here. Punjab though have managed to save some blushes thanks to their new recruit Shahrukh Khan. He has kept them in the game and has played a very good knock here. He though will need to continue and fire in the remaining overs if Punjab are to get to a fighting total. Dwayne Bravo to bowl after the break.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Full on the pads, SRK flicks it to the on side for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, ! Nice strike and Shahrukh continues to impress. Slower ball on off, it is in the slot though. Shahrukh Khan waits for it and hits it away from long on for a boundary.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Slower ball which is full in length around off. It is on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to the left of the bowler.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, DJ starts with a length ball on the pads. It is an off-pace delivery. Ashwin clips it behind square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Back of the hand delivery outside off. Ashwin punches it away from short cover and keeps the strike.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Slower ball which is shorter in length. It bounces like a slow tennis ball. Ashwin leaves it alone.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Good length ball outside off. Ashwin chops his punch to the right of Moeen at short cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Full and wide outside off. Shahrukh Khan guides it to third man for a single.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Good shot! Shahrukh Khan is keeping that glimmer of hope alive. An attempted bouncer but the ball sits up nicely for Shahrukh Khan. He pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Length ball wide outside off. Shahrukh punches it away from sweeper cover for two.
Change in bowling. Shardul Thakur replaces Ravindra Jadeja!
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Allows the ball to spin back in and then pushes it towards cover-point. Looks for a run but Khan declines.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Flighted and outside off, Ashwin forces it across the line but fails to beat the diving mid-wicket fielder.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter and straighter, worked behind square leg for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Once again a shot is played with the spin. This time by Murugan as he finds the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Uses the spin of Moeen and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, ! Gone the distance! SRK won't go down without a fight at Wankhede! He jumps down the track to a fuller delivery on off and smashes it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Tossed up on middle. Ashwin drives it to the left of Jadeja. He dives and saves runs. He has been fantastic in the field tonight. Saying that is like saying water is wet though. He is always tremendous in the field.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Flatter and on middle and leg, Murugan stays back and defends it out with an angled bat. It goes wide of first slip.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Top stop, Chahar! Fullish and on middle, Ashwin flicks on the leg side and Chahar dives across to his right at mid-wicket to stop the ball.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Quicker and on the pads, nudged in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Leans forward to a flighted ball and slices his drive through cover-point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, SRK taps it to cover and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Short on middle, SRK pulls it to fine leg on the bounce and keeps the strike.
Murugan Ashwin is the new man in.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter on off, Shahrukh Khan nudges it to short mid-wicket
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Short on off, Ashwin pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to long on for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Floated on off, Ashwin runs it down behind point for one.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, ! BOWLED! Jhye Richardson departs as well. Cannot blame him. His job is to do the damage with the ball. Moeen gets his first wicket of the game. Short and turning in from off stump. Jhye Richardson gets on his back foot to whack it over the leg side. He misses as the ball is not as short as he thought. It goes under his bat to disturb the stumps. The 31-run stand has been broken.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Eases a fuller length ball down to long on and takes a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, ! Finds the gap this time! Flatter and shorter on off, the Aussie is quick to go on the back foot and punches it sweetly through covers. Fetches a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Jumps down the track to a flighted full ball and helps it to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, That is punched off the back foot, but not in the gap.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flatter arm ball on middle, Jhye pushes it out from the inner half to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length on off, pushed back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on middle, Richardson turns it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Slightly quick, short and flat. It is on off, Jhye pushes it back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, Shahrukh Khan milks it to long on and gets a single.Â
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on off, Richardson glances it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on middle and off, Shahrukh flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Moeen starts with a flighted ball on off, Shahrukh keeps it out.Â
Change in bowling. Moeen Ali replaces Shardul Thakur!
TIME ! What have we witnessed? WOW! If you are rubbing your eyes looking at the scorecard then you are not the only one. Punjab have been shambolic so far to say the least. They might have expected bullets to be fired at them but have taken aback by Deepak Chahar's bazooka. Chennai are steamrolling and it will take a herculean effort from Punjab to save this game. A wounded lion is more dangerous, Punjab have found that the hard way.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Tossed up on middle, Richardson pushes it to the man at short mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on off, SRK keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on middle and off, Shahrukh pushes it to the on side for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, WIDE! Jaddu misses his line and bowls one down the leg side. Jhye looks to flick but misses.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Appeal but going down! Floated on the pads, Jhye looks to play but misses to get hit on the pad. There is an appeal but the umpire is not keen.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it behind square leg for a single.Â
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flighted on off, Jhye pushes it to cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Superb shot! Length ball outside off, Shahrukh Khan gets on top of the bounce and creams it away from sweeper cover. Deepak Chahar gives it a chase but he cnnot stop it.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Bouncer outside off, Shahrukh Khan looks to pull but misses. Lucky not to edge that to the keeper.Â
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Length delivery on middle, Richardson flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fullish on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, ! Smoked! A rare short ball on middle, Shahrukh Khan is quick to pounce onto it. He gets on his back foot and heaves it over the cow corner fence for a biggie.
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Follows the boundary with a single via a dab to third man.
Who will replace Deepak Chahar? It will be Shardul Thakur!
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, ! Beautiful shot from Richardson! Gets his first boundary in the League! Over pitched on middle and leg, Richardson creams it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, On the stumps, Shahrukh Khan keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it to the on side and gets off the mark with one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to long off for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Beaten! There is turn as well on this track. Floated on off, Shahrukh Khan looks to defend but the ball turns and bounces past the outside edge and luckily away from the stumps too.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Jaddu starts with a flatter delivery on middle, Shahrukh Khan blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, EDGED AND ! Gayle has swung hard at it and has got some luck there. Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to punch it straight over the bowler's head but gets a thick outside edge which goes over Raina's head at slip for a boundary.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle gets his first boundary! Slightly too full from Chahar. It is on middle, Gayle knows that there is no one at deep mid-wicket so he just clips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, angling away, KL goes on the back foot and punches it to mid off.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, ! Easy pickings! Fuller length ball on middle and leg, shaping down, Rahul gets enough bat behind it and sends it running to the fine leg fence.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, KL is on the back foot as he defends it to the off side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Fuller in length on middle, shaping in a bit, Rahul defends it with gentle hands to the leg side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Back of a length ball on off, Rahul punches it off his back foot to cover-point.
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, Starts with very full ball on off, Gayle keeps it out towards point and crosses.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fabulous bowling display from Deepak Chahar. He finishes with a maiden and with an outstanding figure of 4/13 from his 4 overs. Just unbelievable. The last ball is a length ball on off, Jhye pushes it to short cover. Chahar has done his job and probably sealed the Man of the Match award as well.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle has been given an early life by Ruturaj Gaikwad! Chahar should have had two in the over and it was a relatively easy chance for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He surely should have taken this. Full ball outside off, Gayle looks to place it away from backward point. He hits it uppishly to the right of backward point. Gaikwad there is slow to react as the ball comes quickly. It hist his palm and pops out. Gayle takes a single and gets off the mark. How costly
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Chahar goes very full first up to Gayle. It's around off and Chris tries to dig it out. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it deflects to cover-point. .Gayle looks for a run but KL turns down the proposal.
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, ! BOWLED! Peach of a delivery from Deepak Chahar and it is too good for Mayank Agarwal. He is out of here without troubling the scorers. There was going to be an early movement for the seamers and Deepak Chahar has made the most of it. Good length delivery pitching on middle and off. Mayank Agarwal looks to defend it but the ball shapes away late and Mayank is fully committed to the shot. He is completely squared up and the ball hits the top of off. Unpl
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, On a good length and just outside off, Mayank pushes it gently, with an angled bat to point. Straight to the fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Back of a length delivery on off, Jhye hops and blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, EDGY! Punjab are underway! Chahar pulls his length back slightly and drops the ball with a lovely seam presentation. Rahul stands back to push it through the line but inside edges it past the stumps towards backward square leg. MS Dhoni runs after it and they cross for a run.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, A hint of movement to start! Chahar starts with a full length ball around middle and leg, getting it to straighten a bit, Rahul plays it cautiously off his pads to mid-wicket.
Who will walk out to bat now? It is going to be Jhye Richardson. He was paid a lot to do the job with the ball but he now will have to do something with the bat.Â
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Good length ball on off, the Aussie covers the line and defends it to the off side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Cracking shot but a very good save! Slightly fuller outside off, Hooda drives it on the up to the right of short cover. The fielder there dives and saves runs for his side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, Hooda looks to drive it on the off side but places it back to the bowler off the inner half of his bat.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Length ball on off, this time Hooda punches it down the ground away from sweeper cover for a brace.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, ! What a shot! Good length ball around off, Hooda gets on his back foor and punches it right out of the screws over cover for a boundary.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Thakur starts with a good length delivery on off. Hooda defends it to the off side.Â
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Angling in a length ball on middle, SRK defends it from the crease to the leg side.
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Appeal for an lbw! A length ball close to off, shaping in and beating Shahrukh's defensive bat. He is pinged on the pads, Chahar appeals but the umpire shakes his head. He tries to convince his skipper but Dhoni also shakes his head. Too high, MS knows.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, ! CAUGHT! Pooran goes back for yet another duck. That is two-in-two for him. Bouncer from Chahar and that gets the wicket. Whatever this man is touching is turning to gold tonight. When it rains, it pours and for Punjab wickets are pouring here. Bouncer on middle, Pooran pulls it. There is just one man at deep square leg. Pooran picks him to perfection. Thakur does not even have to move as it is straight to him.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pooran lets it be.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! CAUGHT! Jadeja into the act once again. First with a run out and now with a very good flying catch. Gaikwad will be a relieved man. He dropped Gayle on 0 and luckily for him it has cost just 10 runs. Chahar gets his second. He should have had Gayle in his first over but he has him in his third over. Chahar goes full and makes this one move away from Gayle and also it is the knuckle ball so the pace does the Universe Boss too. Gayle looks to play it towar
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length and outside off, Jhye drives it off his front foot to covers.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length ball around off, Hooda punches it to the left of mid off and takes a quick but safe single.Â
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, A bouncer to Gayle, it's on middle and the big West Indian decides to duck. Fine over by Sam.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, A one-legged shot! Shortish and on middle, Hooda lifts his front leg and glances it through square leg. A good sliding stop by Chahar and only one run is possible.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the right-hander, Hooda plays it late and opens the face of his bat. But it has gone straight to the backward point fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Back of a length ball on off, Hooda goes on the back foot and uses his height as he defends it down near the surface.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Pitches it up and around off, Deepak drives it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the batsman outside off, on a length, Hooda takes his front foot forward and makes a leave.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Hooda is off the mark and keeps the strike! Good length ball around off, Hooda runs it down to third man and keeps the strike with one.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, WIDE! Chahar misses his line and bowls it down the leg side. Hooda leaves it alone. Wided by the umpire.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! RUN OUT! The dangerous KL Rahul is out of here courtesy of a fabulous piece of fielding from Ravindra Jadeja. He is an exceptional fielder and his exceptional skills have got the better of the Punjab skipper. Fullish ball angling into Gayle around his pad. Gayle looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pad and there is an appeal from Chennai players. The batters meanwhile try to take a leg bye. The ball rolls towards cover-point. Jadeja is not interest
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle keeps it out.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, INSIDE EDGE this time! Length ball outside off, Gayle looks to punch it through mid off but gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it misses the stumps. Dhoni does fabulously well to dive to his right and make the stop.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and the ploy to bowl out Chahar works wonder for Chennai. What a game he has had! Mind-boggling to say the least. A genuine seam-up delivery on off, Hooda is early into his shot, He ends up chipping it straight to mid off. Faf du Plessis there is never going to drop those. He takes a simple catch and half the side is back in the dugout for Punjab. This is outrageous and abysmal batting from Punjab.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, little movement still for Chahar. Hooda defends it.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Single to end the Powerplay. A fantastic one for Chennai. Length ball around off, Hooda strikes it through point and keeps the strike. End of the Powerplay and Punjab are stuttering at 26/4 at the end of the first phase.Â
Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat way too early then he would have hoped for.
Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat when his side are in massive puddle.
Who will walk ut at number 4? It will be the hero from the last game, Deepak Hooda.
Direct hit from Jadeja and they think they have got Rahul.
Who will bowl from the other end? It is going to be Sam Curran!
Chris Gayle walks out at number 3!
Chahar pulls out! Probably lost his run-up!
We are all set for the action to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle. MS Dhoni leads his Chennai troops out for the 200th time. Punjab skipper, KL Rahul walks out with Mayank Agarwal to open the innings for Punjab. Deepak Chahar to start the proceedings with the new ball for Chennai.Â
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul(WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that they did well last game and they are looking to follow the same template. Rahul says that the strip looks the same that is the case in all pitches at Wankhede. Rahul says that he would like to look at how the two Australian bowlers got hit and when a set batter is batting this ground can be cruel on bowlers. Tells he tries to encourage them and back them. Rahul informs they are unchanged as well.
Chennai skipper, MSÂ Dhoni says that the only thing to remember is to bowl good deliveries. Tells a lot of times a few good shot from the batters sees the bowlers deviate from the plan and they need to rectify that. Dhoni says cricket is a mental game and adds adaptability is the key factor. Dhoni says that whoever is mentally stronger comes out as a winner. Dhoni says that the pitch looks a bit tacky and has a bit more grass. Dhoni feels the first 4 overs in the second innings is crucial. Dhoni
Chennai (Playing XI) -Â Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
TOSS - We are all in readiness for the spin of coin. Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, is out in the middle for his 200th game for Chennai. He is joined by Punjab captain, KL Rahul.  Rahul has the coin in hand. Dhoni calls correctly and the coin comes down in his favour in his milestone game. CHENNAI OPT TO BOWL!
Hello and welcome to game number 8 as Punjab takes on Chennai. KL Rahul's side managed to get their campaign off to a nail-biting win and will hope to make it two-in-two and join Bangalore at the top with a 100 percent win record to begin with. Dhoni's Chennai got off to a thumping loss against Delhi at this very venue. Their bowling was well under par on that evening but MS will hope his bowlers can come to the party. The 3-time champions will be desperate not to lose both their opening games.
PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is the pitch expert for the evening. Bishop tells it is a fresh pitch. Adds that there is a tinge of grass at one end but as he walks down it has a fresh cut. Bishop feels there might not be too much movement like game no.7. Bishop tells that dew starts to form later in the contest and when that happens yorkers need to come into play. Reminds us Delhi did not do that and paid a heavy price. Â
So 107 is what Chennai need to hand their skipper a victory in his 200th game for Chennai. This should be a relatively easy chase. Punjab will have to bowl out of their skin to make this even look competitive. Can Punjab do something astronomical or will it be a walk in the park for Chennai? Join us for the chase to find out.
The star of the evening so far, Deepak Chahar is caught for a chat. Chahar says there was a bit more seam than swing and tells they bowled the right areas. Chahar admits last year was difficult for all of them.  Tells last year he was in quarantine for 28 days and came back after just 4 days which was very difficult for him. Tells they got time to prepare and they executed well. Chahar says that chasing 107 should be easy and hopes they can finish well.
A shambolic batting display from Punjab. They will be very thankful that they could buy Shahrukh Khan and Jhye Richardson. As the two were the top two scorers for their side and saved a lot of blushes. Shahrukh Khan in particular was the sole batter who showed some fight. If not for his efforts Punjab would have struggled to get to a three-digit score. Abysmal performance from Punjab to sum it up.
It was the Deepak Chahar show with Jadeja playing the supporting role. Chahar derailed the Punjab innings before it even started going. His 4/14 just murdered Punjab's top order and set the platform for Chennai. Barring Shardul Thakur, every other bowler was on the money. Moeen, Curran, and Bravo were the other two with wickets. Jadeja was economical and a livewire on the field as his brilliant throw got rid of Rahul early on and you can't forget his diving catch to dismiss Gayle.Â
A total trainwreck of an innings from Punjab. Chennai have bulldozed them with the ball in hand and unless a tragic calamity, they are well on course to get their first win of the season. The lions from Chennai were wounded and they have pounced back with their sharp claws and teeth.Â
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Fuller length ball outside off, Shami hangs on the back foot and throws the kitchen sink at it. Ends up slicing it behind point and collects a single. Punjab end on 106/8!
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball around off, angling away, Shami tries his best to connect with his slog across the line but misses.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, NOT ! On a length and outside off, leaving the batsman, Shami throws his bat and slices it over point. He wants to steal the second run, the throw comes to Dhoni who collects and throws it onto the stumps. They appeal and it's referred upstairs. The replays find Shami safe.
Run out appeal taken upstairs.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball landig around leg, Shami clears his front leg and heaves it in front of square leg for two.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Superb execution of slower ones by Chennai. Sam runs his fingers and delivers a length ball outside off, Shami swings and misses.
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, ! CAUGHT! The sole batter who showed some fight and took Punjab to a respectable total is out of here too. Shahrukh Khan falls short of a well-deserved fifty but he can go back with his head held high. Sam Curran gets his first wicket of the game. He rolls his finger on it and bangs it short. Shahrukh Khan pulls it but with no timing. He finds Jadeja at deep mid-wicket. Worst fielder to pick because he will never drop those. Once again no mistake from Jaddu
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Curran bowls a slower length ball way wide outside off, Khan throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Slower one again fools the batsman. Following the batsman down the leg side, a low dipping full toss, Shami is early into the shot and is hit on the pads.
Sam Curran to bowl the final over of the innings.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, 100 up for Punjab! Bravo angles it into the batsman who connects and sends it racing away to the deep mid-wicket region. Moeen manning that region rushes across to his left, puts in a slide and saves two runs for his team.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Another swing and a miss! Bravo takes the pace off this one and delivers it around middle and leg, Shami opens up for a big heave but misses. It goes closely past the leg stump.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Back of a length delivery, around off and cutting away, Shami tries to pull but misses.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, A low dipping full toss outside off, Shahrukh hammers it past the outstretches left hand of the bowler for a run at long off.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Good length ball on middle, Shami rotates his wrists and works it through square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, EDGY ! Doesn't matter how they come at this stage. Thakur goes short and delivers it outside off at 129 kph, Shahrukh attempts for the pull shot but it flies off the top edge and goes behind Dhoni for a boundary. Valuable runs. 9 from the over!
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Too full in length on middle, Khan clips it to deep mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Thakur deceives SRK with a slower one this time. Bowls it on a length and outside off, at 116 kph, Khan swishes and misses.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Fuller in length and outside off at 138 kph, Shahrukh winds up for a big shot down the ground but it skids past the outside edge.
Shardul Thakur to Mohammed Shami, Width on offer outside off, Shami reaches out for it and flashes his blade through the line. Ends up slicing it behind backward point for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fuller in length and outside off, Shahrukh throws his bat at it and rockets it over covers. Finds the deep fielder though and hence only a run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Good length delivery but too wide outside off, Khan leaves it.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Length ball on off, Shami taps it to point to see off the over. 6 runs and a wicket off Bravo's first.Â
Mohammed Shami is the new man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, ! CAUGHT! Murugan Ashwin departs and Bravo too joins the party. Gets his first wicket in his first over. Good length ball on off, Murugan Ashwin looks to hit it on the up but ends up scooping it to mid off. Faf du Plessis keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a simple catch.
Time Out! Chennai continue to be on top here. Punjab though have managed to save some blushes thanks to their new recruit Shahrukh Khan. He has kept them in the game and has played a very good knock here. He though will need to continue and fire in the remaining overs if Punjab are to get to a fighting total. Dwayne Bravo to bowl after the break.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Full on the pads, SRK flicks it to the on side for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, ! Nice strike and Shahrukh continues to impress. Slower ball on off, it is in the slot though. Shahrukh Khan waits for it and hits it away from long on for a boundary.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Slower ball which is full in length around off. It is on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to the left of the bowler.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, DJ starts with a length ball on the pads. It is an off-pace delivery. Ashwin clips it behind square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Back of the hand delivery outside off. Ashwin punches it away from short cover and keeps the strike.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Slower ball which is shorter in length. It bounces like a slow tennis ball. Ashwin leaves it alone.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Good length ball outside off. Ashwin chops his punch to the right of Moeen at short cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Full and wide outside off. Shahrukh Khan guides it to third man for a single.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Good shot! Shahrukh Khan is keeping that glimmer of hope alive. An attempted bouncer but the ball sits up nicely for Shahrukh Khan. He pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Length ball wide outside off. Shahrukh punches it away from sweeper cover for two.
Change in bowling. Shardul Thakur replaces Ravindra Jadeja!
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Allows the ball to spin back in and then pushes it towards cover-point. Looks for a run but Khan declines.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Flighted and outside off, Ashwin forces it across the line but fails to beat the diving mid-wicket fielder.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter and straighter, worked behind square leg for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Once again a shot is played with the spin. This time by Murugan as he finds the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Uses the spin of Moeen and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, ! Gone the distance! SRK won't go down without a fight at Wankhede! He jumps down the track to a fuller delivery on off and smashes it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Tossed up on middle. Ashwin drives it to the left of Jadeja. He dives and saves runs. He has been fantastic in the field tonight. Saying that is like saying water is wet though. He is always tremendous in the field.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Flatter and on middle and leg, Murugan stays back and defends it out with an angled bat. It goes wide of first slip.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Top stop, Chahar! Fullish and on middle, Ashwin flicks on the leg side and Chahar dives across to his right at mid-wicket to stop the ball.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Quicker and on the pads, nudged in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Leans forward to a flighted ball and slices his drive through cover-point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, SRK taps it to cover and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Short on middle, SRK pulls it to fine leg on the bounce and keeps the strike.
Murugan Ashwin is the new man in.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter on off, Shahrukh Khan nudges it to short mid-wicket
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Short on off, Ashwin pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to long on for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Floated on off, Ashwin runs it down behind point for one.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, ! BOWLED! Jhye Richardson departs as well. Cannot blame him. His job is to do the damage with the ball. Moeen gets his first wicket of the game. Short and turning in from off stump. Jhye Richardson gets on his back foot to whack it over the leg side. He misses as the ball is not as short as he thought. It goes under his bat to disturb the stumps. The 31-run stand has been broken.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Eases a fuller length ball down to long on and takes a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, ! Finds the gap this time! Flatter and shorter on off, the Aussie is quick to go on the back foot and punches it sweetly through covers. Fetches a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Jumps down the track to a flighted full ball and helps it to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, That is punched off the back foot, but not in the gap.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flatter arm ball on middle, Jhye pushes it out from the inner half to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length on off, pushed back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on middle, Richardson turns it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Slightly quick, short and flat. It is on off, Jhye pushes it back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, Shahrukh Khan milks it to long on and gets a single.Â
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on off, Richardson glances it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on middle and off, Shahrukh flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Moeen starts with a flighted ball on off, Shahrukh keeps it out.Â
Change in bowling. Moeen Ali replaces Shardul Thakur!
TIME ! What have we witnessed? WOW! If you are rubbing your eyes looking at the scorecard then you are not the only one. Punjab have been shambolic so far to say the least. They might have expected bullets to be fired at them but have taken aback by Deepak Chahar's bazooka. Chennai are steamrolling and it will take a herculean effort from Punjab to save this game. A wounded lion is more dangerous, Punjab have found that the hard way.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Tossed up on middle, Richardson pushes it to the man at short mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on off, SRK keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on middle and off, Shahrukh pushes it to the on side for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, WIDE! Jaddu misses his line and bowls one down the leg side. Jhye looks to flick but misses.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Appeal but going down! Floated on the pads, Jhye looks to play but misses to get hit on the pad. There is an appeal but the umpire is not keen.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it behind square leg for a single.Â
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flighted on off, Jhye pushes it to cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Superb shot! Length ball outside off, Shahrukh Khan gets on top of the bounce and creams it away from sweeper cover. Deepak Chahar gives it a chase but he cnnot stop it.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Bouncer outside off, Shahrukh Khan looks to pull but misses. Lucky not to edge that to the keeper.Â
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Length delivery on middle, Richardson flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fullish on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, ! Smoked! A rare short ball on middle, Shahrukh Khan is quick to pounce onto it. He gets on his back foot and heaves it over the cow corner fence for a biggie.
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Follows the boundary with a single via a dab to third man.
Who will replace Deepak Chahar? It will be Shardul Thakur!
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, ! Beautiful shot from Richardson! Gets his first boundary in the League! Over pitched on middle and leg, Richardson creams it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, On the stumps, Shahrukh Khan keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it to the on side and gets off the mark with one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to long off for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Beaten! There is turn as well on this track. Floated on off, Shahrukh Khan looks to defend but the ball turns and bounces past the outside edge and luckily away from the stumps too.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Jaddu starts with a flatter delivery on middle, Shahrukh Khan blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, EDGED AND ! Gayle has swung hard at it and has got some luck there. Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to punch it straight over the bowler's head but gets a thick outside edge which goes over Raina's head at slip for a boundary.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle gets his first boundary! Slightly too full from Chahar. It is on middle, Gayle knows that there is no one at deep mid-wicket so he just clips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, angling away, KL goes on the back foot and punches it to mid off.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, ! Easy pickings! Fuller length ball on middle and leg, shaping down, Rahul gets enough bat behind it and sends it running to the fine leg fence.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, KL is on the back foot as he defends it to the off side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Fuller in length on middle, shaping in a bit, Rahul defends it with gentle hands to the leg side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Back of a length ball on off, Rahul punches it off his back foot to cover-point.
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, Starts with very full ball on off, Gayle keeps it out towards point and crosses.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fabulous bowling display from Deepak Chahar. He finishes with a maiden and with an outstanding figure of 4/13 from his 4 overs. Just unbelievable. The last ball is a length ball on off, Jhye pushes it to short cover. Chahar has done his job and probably sealed the Man of the Match award as well.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle has been given an early life by Ruturaj Gaikwad! Chahar should have had two in the over and it was a relatively easy chance for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He surely should have taken this. Full ball outside off, Gayle looks to place it away from backward point. He hits it uppishly to the right of backward point. Gaikwad there is slow to react as the ball comes quickly. It hist his palm and pops out. Gayle takes a single and gets off the mark. How costly
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Chahar goes very full first up to Gayle. It's around off and Chris tries to dig it out. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it deflects to cover-point. .Gayle looks for a run but KL turns down the proposal.
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, ! BOWLED! Peach of a delivery from Deepak Chahar and it is too good for Mayank Agarwal. He is out of here without troubling the scorers. There was going to be an early movement for the seamers and Deepak Chahar has made the most of it. Good length delivery pitching on middle and off. Mayank Agarwal looks to defend it but the ball shapes away late and Mayank is fully committed to the shot. He is completely squared up and the ball hits the top of off. Unpl
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, On a good length and just outside off, Mayank pushes it gently, with an angled bat to point. Straight to the fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Back of a length delivery on off, Jhye hops and blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, EDGY! Punjab are underway! Chahar pulls his length back slightly and drops the ball with a lovely seam presentation. Rahul stands back to push it through the line but inside edges it past the stumps towards backward square leg. MS Dhoni runs after it and they cross for a run.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, A hint of movement to start! Chahar starts with a full length ball around middle and leg, getting it to straighten a bit, Rahul plays it cautiously off his pads to mid-wicket.
Who will walk out to bat now? It is going to be Jhye Richardson. He was paid a lot to do the job with the ball but he now will have to do something with the bat.Â
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Good length ball on off, the Aussie covers the line and defends it to the off side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Cracking shot but a very good save! Slightly fuller outside off, Hooda drives it on the up to the right of short cover. The fielder there dives and saves runs for his side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, Hooda looks to drive it on the off side but places it back to the bowler off the inner half of his bat.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Length ball on off, this time Hooda punches it down the ground away from sweeper cover for a brace.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, ! What a shot! Good length ball around off, Hooda gets on his back foor and punches it right out of the screws over cover for a boundary.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Thakur starts with a good length delivery on off. Hooda defends it to the off side.Â
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Angling in a length ball on middle, SRK defends it from the crease to the leg side.
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Appeal for an lbw! A length ball close to off, shaping in and beating Shahrukh's defensive bat. He is pinged on the pads, Chahar appeals but the umpire shakes his head. He tries to convince his skipper but Dhoni also shakes his head. Too high, MS knows.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, ! CAUGHT! Pooran goes back for yet another duck. That is two-in-two for him. Bouncer from Chahar and that gets the wicket. Whatever this man is touching is turning to gold tonight. When it rains, it pours and for Punjab wickets are pouring here. Bouncer on middle, Pooran pulls it. There is just one man at deep square leg. Pooran picks him to perfection. Thakur does not even have to move as it is straight to him.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pooran lets it be.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! CAUGHT! Jadeja into the act once again. First with a run out and now with a very good flying catch. Gaikwad will be a relieved man. He dropped Gayle on 0 and luckily for him it has cost just 10 runs. Chahar gets his second. He should have had Gayle in his first over but he has him in his third over. Chahar goes full and makes this one move away from Gayle and also it is the knuckle ball so the pace does the Universe Boss too. Gayle looks to play it towar
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length and outside off, Jhye drives it off his front foot to covers.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length ball around off, Hooda punches it to the left of mid off and takes a quick but safe single.Â
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, A bouncer to Gayle, it's on middle and the big West Indian decides to duck. Fine over by Sam.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, A one-legged shot! Shortish and on middle, Hooda lifts his front leg and glances it through square leg. A good sliding stop by Chahar and only one run is possible.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the right-hander, Hooda plays it late and opens the face of his bat. But it has gone straight to the backward point fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Back of a length ball on off, Hooda goes on the back foot and uses his height as he defends it down near the surface.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Pitches it up and around off, Deepak drives it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the batsman outside off, on a length, Hooda takes his front foot forward and makes a leave.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Hooda is off the mark and keeps the strike! Good length ball around off, Hooda runs it down to third man and keeps the strike with one.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, WIDE! Chahar misses his line and bowls it down the leg side. Hooda leaves it alone. Wided by the umpire.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! RUN OUT! The dangerous KL Rahul is out of here courtesy of a fabulous piece of fielding from Ravindra Jadeja. He is an exceptional fielder and his exceptional skills have got the better of the Punjab skipper. Fullish ball angling into Gayle around his pad. Gayle looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pad and there is an appeal from Chennai players. The batters meanwhile try to take a leg bye. The ball rolls towards cover-point. Jadeja is not interest
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle keeps it out.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, INSIDE EDGE this time! Length ball outside off, Gayle looks to punch it through mid off but gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it misses the stumps. Dhoni does fabulously well to dive to his right and make the stop.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and the ploy to bowl out Chahar works wonder for Chennai. What a game he has had! Mind-boggling to say the least. A genuine seam-up delivery on off, Hooda is early into his shot, He ends up chipping it straight to mid off. Faf du Plessis there is never going to drop those. He takes a simple catch and half the side is back in the dugout for Punjab. This is outrageous and abysmal batting from Punjab.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, little movement still for Chahar. Hooda defends it.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Single to end the Powerplay. A fantastic one for Chennai. Length ball around off, Hooda strikes it through point and keeps the strike. End of the Powerplay and Punjab are stuttering at 26/4 at the end of the first phase.Â
Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat way too early then he would have hoped for.
Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat when his side are in massive puddle.
Who will walk ut at number 4? It will be the hero from the last game, Deepak Hooda.
Direct hit from Jadeja and they think they have got Rahul.
Who will bowl from the other end? It is going to be Sam Curran!
Chris Gayle walks out at number 3!
Chahar pulls out! Probably lost his run-up!
We are all set for the action to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle. MS Dhoni leads his Chennai troops out for the 200th time. Punjab skipper, KL Rahul walks out with Mayank Agarwal to open the innings for Punjab. Deepak Chahar to start the proceedings with the new ball for Chennai.Â
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul(WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that they did well last game and they are looking to follow the same template. Rahul says that the strip looks the same that is the case in all pitches at Wankhede. Rahul says that he would like to look at how the two Australian bowlers got hit and when a set batter is batting this ground can be cruel on bowlers. Tells he tries to encourage them and back them. Rahul informs they are unchanged as well.
Chennai skipper, MSÂ Dhoni says that the only thing to remember is to bowl good deliveries. Tells a lot of times a few good shot from the batters sees the bowlers deviate from the plan and they need to rectify that. Dhoni says cricket is a mental game and adds adaptability is the key factor. Dhoni says that whoever is mentally stronger comes out as a winner. Dhoni says that the pitch looks a bit tacky and has a bit more grass. Dhoni feels the first 4 overs in the second innings is crucial. Dhoni
Chennai (Playing XI) -Â Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
TOSS - We are all in readiness for the spin of coin. Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, is out in the middle for his 200th game for Chennai. He is joined by Punjab captain, KL Rahul.  Rahul has the coin in hand. Dhoni calls correctly and the coin comes down in his favour in his milestone game. CHENNAI OPT TO BOWL!
Hello and welcome to game number 8 as Punjab takes on Chennai. KL Rahul's side managed to get their campaign off to a nail-biting win and will hope to make it two-in-two and join Bangalore at the top with a 100 percent win record to begin with. Dhoni's Chennai got off to a thumping loss against Delhi at this very venue. Their bowling was well under par on that evening but MS will hope his bowlers can come to the party. The 3-time champions will be desperate not to lose both their opening games.
PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is the pitch expert for the evening. Bishop tells it is a fresh pitch. Adds that there is a tinge of grass at one end but as he walks down it has a fresh cut. Bishop feels there might not be too much movement like game no.7. Bishop tells that dew starts to form later in the contest and when that happens yorkers need to come into play. Reminds us Delhi did not do that and paid a heavy price. Â
8
Diabytes
Chennai Super Kings
107/4(15.4 Overs)
So 107 is what Chennai need to hand their skipper a victory in his 200th game for Chennai. This should be a relatively easy chase. Punjab will have to bowl out of their skin to make this even look competitive. Can Punjab do something astronomical or will it be a walk in the park for Chennai? Join us for the chase to find out.
The star of the evening so far, Deepak Chahar is caught for a chat. Chahar says there was a bit more seam than swing and tells they bowled the right areas. Chahar admits last year was difficult for all of them.  Tells last year he was in quarantine for 28 days and came back after just 4 days which was very difficult for him. Tells they got time to prepare and they executed well. Chahar says that chasing 107 should be easy and hopes they can finish well.
A shambolic batting display from Punjab. They will be very thankful that they could buy Shahrukh Khan and Jhye Richardson. As the two were the top two scorers for their side and saved a lot of blushes. Shahrukh Khan in particular was the sole batter who showed some fight. If not for his efforts Punjab would have struggled to get to a three-digit score. Abysmal performance from Punjab to sum it up.
It was the Deepak Chahar show with Jadeja playing the supporting role. Chahar derailed the Punjab innings before it even started going. His 4/14 just murdered Punjab's top order and set the platform for Chennai. Barring Shardul Thakur, every other bowler was on the money. Moeen, Curran, and Bravo were the other two with wickets. Jadeja was economical and a livewire on the field as his brilliant throw got rid of Rahul early on and you can't forget his diving catch to dismiss Gayle.Â
A total trainwreck of an innings from Punjab. Chennai have bulldozed them with the ball in hand and unless a tragic calamity, they are well on course to get their first win of the season. The lions from Chennai were wounded and they have pounced back with their sharp claws and teeth.Â
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Fuller length ball outside off, Shami hangs on the back foot and throws the kitchen sink at it. Ends up slicing it behind point and collects a single. Punjab end on 106/8!
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball around off, angling away, Shami tries his best to connect with his slog across the line but misses.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, NOT ! On a length and outside off, leaving the batsman, Shami throws his bat and slices it over point. He wants to steal the second run, the throw comes to Dhoni who collects and throws it onto the stumps. They appeal and it's referred upstairs. The replays find Shami safe.
Run out appeal taken upstairs.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball landig around leg, Shami clears his front leg and heaves it in front of square leg for two.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Superb execution of slower ones by Chennai. Sam runs his fingers and delivers a length ball outside off, Shami swings and misses.
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, ! CAUGHT! The sole batter who showed some fight and took Punjab to a respectable total is out of here too. Shahrukh Khan falls short of a well-deserved fifty but he can go back with his head held high. Sam Curran gets his first wicket of the game. He rolls his finger on it and bangs it short. Shahrukh Khan pulls it but with no timing. He finds Jadeja at deep mid-wicket. Worst fielder to pick because he will never drop those. Once again no mistake from Jaddu
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Curran bowls a slower length ball way wide outside off, Khan throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Slower one again fools the batsman. Following the batsman down the leg side, a low dipping full toss, Shami is early into the shot and is hit on the pads.
Sam Curran to bowl the final over of the innings.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, 100 up for Punjab! Bravo angles it into the batsman who connects and sends it racing away to the deep mid-wicket region. Moeen manning that region rushes across to his left, puts in a slide and saves two runs for his team.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Another swing and a miss! Bravo takes the pace off this one and delivers it around middle and leg, Shami opens up for a big heave but misses. It goes closely past the leg stump.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Back of a length delivery, around off and cutting away, Shami tries to pull but misses.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, A low dipping full toss outside off, Shahrukh hammers it past the outstretches left hand of the bowler for a run at long off.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Good length ball on middle, Shami rotates his wrists and works it through square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, EDGY ! Doesn't matter how they come at this stage. Thakur goes short and delivers it outside off at 129 kph, Shahrukh attempts for the pull shot but it flies off the top edge and goes behind Dhoni for a boundary. Valuable runs. 9 from the over!
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Too full in length on middle, Khan clips it to deep mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Thakur deceives SRK with a slower one this time. Bowls it on a length and outside off, at 116 kph, Khan swishes and misses.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Fuller in length and outside off at 138 kph, Shahrukh winds up for a big shot down the ground but it skids past the outside edge.
Shardul Thakur to Mohammed Shami, Width on offer outside off, Shami reaches out for it and flashes his blade through the line. Ends up slicing it behind backward point for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fuller in length and outside off, Shahrukh throws his bat at it and rockets it over covers. Finds the deep fielder though and hence only a run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Good length delivery but too wide outside off, Khan leaves it.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Length ball on off, Shami taps it to point to see off the over. 6 runs and a wicket off Bravo's first.Â
Mohammed Shami is the new man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, ! CAUGHT! Murugan Ashwin departs and Bravo too joins the party. Gets his first wicket in his first over. Good length ball on off, Murugan Ashwin looks to hit it on the up but ends up scooping it to mid off. Faf du Plessis keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a simple catch.
Time Out! Chennai continue to be on top here. Punjab though have managed to save some blushes thanks to their new recruit Shahrukh Khan. He has kept them in the game and has played a very good knock here. He though will need to continue and fire in the remaining overs if Punjab are to get to a fighting total. Dwayne Bravo to bowl after the break.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Full on the pads, SRK flicks it to the on side for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, ! Nice strike and Shahrukh continues to impress. Slower ball on off, it is in the slot though. Shahrukh Khan waits for it and hits it away from long on for a boundary.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Slower ball which is full in length around off. It is on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to the left of the bowler.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, DJ starts with a length ball on the pads. It is an off-pace delivery. Ashwin clips it behind square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Back of the hand delivery outside off. Ashwin punches it away from short cover and keeps the strike.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Slower ball which is shorter in length. It bounces like a slow tennis ball. Ashwin leaves it alone.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Good length ball outside off. Ashwin chops his punch to the right of Moeen at short cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Full and wide outside off. Shahrukh Khan guides it to third man for a single.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Good shot! Shahrukh Khan is keeping that glimmer of hope alive. An attempted bouncer but the ball sits up nicely for Shahrukh Khan. He pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Length ball wide outside off. Shahrukh punches it away from sweeper cover for two.
Change in bowling. Shardul Thakur replaces Ravindra Jadeja!
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Allows the ball to spin back in and then pushes it towards cover-point. Looks for a run but Khan declines.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Flighted and outside off, Ashwin forces it across the line but fails to beat the diving mid-wicket fielder.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter and straighter, worked behind square leg for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Once again a shot is played with the spin. This time by Murugan as he finds the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Uses the spin of Moeen and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, ! Gone the distance! SRK won't go down without a fight at Wankhede! He jumps down the track to a fuller delivery on off and smashes it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Tossed up on middle. Ashwin drives it to the left of Jadeja. He dives and saves runs. He has been fantastic in the field tonight. Saying that is like saying water is wet though. He is always tremendous in the field.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Flatter and on middle and leg, Murugan stays back and defends it out with an angled bat. It goes wide of first slip.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Top stop, Chahar! Fullish and on middle, Ashwin flicks on the leg side and Chahar dives across to his right at mid-wicket to stop the ball.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Quicker and on the pads, nudged in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Leans forward to a flighted ball and slices his drive through cover-point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, SRK taps it to cover and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Short on middle, SRK pulls it to fine leg on the bounce and keeps the strike.
Murugan Ashwin is the new man in.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter on off, Shahrukh Khan nudges it to short mid-wicket
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Short on off, Ashwin pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to long on for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Floated on off, Ashwin runs it down behind point for one.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, ! BOWLED! Jhye Richardson departs as well. Cannot blame him. His job is to do the damage with the ball. Moeen gets his first wicket of the game. Short and turning in from off stump. Jhye Richardson gets on his back foot to whack it over the leg side. He misses as the ball is not as short as he thought. It goes under his bat to disturb the stumps. The 31-run stand has been broken.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Eases a fuller length ball down to long on and takes a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, ! Finds the gap this time! Flatter and shorter on off, the Aussie is quick to go on the back foot and punches it sweetly through covers. Fetches a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Jumps down the track to a flighted full ball and helps it to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, That is punched off the back foot, but not in the gap.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flatter arm ball on middle, Jhye pushes it out from the inner half to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length on off, pushed back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on middle, Richardson turns it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Slightly quick, short and flat. It is on off, Jhye pushes it back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, Shahrukh Khan milks it to long on and gets a single.Â
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on off, Richardson glances it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on middle and off, Shahrukh flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Moeen starts with a flighted ball on off, Shahrukh keeps it out.Â
Change in bowling. Moeen Ali replaces Shardul Thakur!
TIME ! What have we witnessed? WOW! If you are rubbing your eyes looking at the scorecard then you are not the only one. Punjab have been shambolic so far to say the least. They might have expected bullets to be fired at them but have taken aback by Deepak Chahar's bazooka. Chennai are steamrolling and it will take a herculean effort from Punjab to save this game. A wounded lion is more dangerous, Punjab have found that the hard way.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Tossed up on middle, Richardson pushes it to the man at short mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on off, SRK keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on middle and off, Shahrukh pushes it to the on side for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, WIDE! Jaddu misses his line and bowls one down the leg side. Jhye looks to flick but misses.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Appeal but going down! Floated on the pads, Jhye looks to play but misses to get hit on the pad. There is an appeal but the umpire is not keen.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it behind square leg for a single.Â
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flighted on off, Jhye pushes it to cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Superb shot! Length ball outside off, Shahrukh Khan gets on top of the bounce and creams it away from sweeper cover. Deepak Chahar gives it a chase but he cnnot stop it.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Bouncer outside off, Shahrukh Khan looks to pull but misses. Lucky not to edge that to the keeper.Â
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Length delivery on middle, Richardson flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fullish on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, ! Smoked! A rare short ball on middle, Shahrukh Khan is quick to pounce onto it. He gets on his back foot and heaves it over the cow corner fence for a biggie.
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Follows the boundary with a single via a dab to third man.
Who will replace Deepak Chahar? It will be Shardul Thakur!
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, ! Beautiful shot from Richardson! Gets his first boundary in the League! Over pitched on middle and leg, Richardson creams it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, On the stumps, Shahrukh Khan keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it to the on side and gets off the mark with one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to long off for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Beaten! There is turn as well on this track. Floated on off, Shahrukh Khan looks to defend but the ball turns and bounces past the outside edge and luckily away from the stumps too.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Jaddu starts with a flatter delivery on middle, Shahrukh Khan blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, EDGED AND ! Gayle has swung hard at it and has got some luck there. Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to punch it straight over the bowler's head but gets a thick outside edge which goes over Raina's head at slip for a boundary.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle gets his first boundary! Slightly too full from Chahar. It is on middle, Gayle knows that there is no one at deep mid-wicket so he just clips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, angling away, KL goes on the back foot and punches it to mid off.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, ! Easy pickings! Fuller length ball on middle and leg, shaping down, Rahul gets enough bat behind it and sends it running to the fine leg fence.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, KL is on the back foot as he defends it to the off side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Fuller in length on middle, shaping in a bit, Rahul defends it with gentle hands to the leg side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Back of a length ball on off, Rahul punches it off his back foot to cover-point.
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, Starts with very full ball on off, Gayle keeps it out towards point and crosses.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fabulous bowling display from Deepak Chahar. He finishes with a maiden and with an outstanding figure of 4/13 from his 4 overs. Just unbelievable. The last ball is a length ball on off, Jhye pushes it to short cover. Chahar has done his job and probably sealed the Man of the Match award as well.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle has been given an early life by Ruturaj Gaikwad! Chahar should have had two in the over and it was a relatively easy chance for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He surely should have taken this. Full ball outside off, Gayle looks to place it away from backward point. He hits it uppishly to the right of backward point. Gaikwad there is slow to react as the ball comes quickly. It hist his palm and pops out. Gayle takes a single and gets off the mark. How costly
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Chahar goes very full first up to Gayle. It's around off and Chris tries to dig it out. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it deflects to cover-point. .Gayle looks for a run but KL turns down the proposal.
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, ! BOWLED! Peach of a delivery from Deepak Chahar and it is too good for Mayank Agarwal. He is out of here without troubling the scorers. There was going to be an early movement for the seamers and Deepak Chahar has made the most of it. Good length delivery pitching on middle and off. Mayank Agarwal looks to defend it but the ball shapes away late and Mayank is fully committed to the shot. He is completely squared up and the ball hits the top of off. Unpl
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, On a good length and just outside off, Mayank pushes it gently, with an angled bat to point. Straight to the fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Back of a length delivery on off, Jhye hops and blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, EDGY! Punjab are underway! Chahar pulls his length back slightly and drops the ball with a lovely seam presentation. Rahul stands back to push it through the line but inside edges it past the stumps towards backward square leg. MS Dhoni runs after it and they cross for a run.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, A hint of movement to start! Chahar starts with a full length ball around middle and leg, getting it to straighten a bit, Rahul plays it cautiously off his pads to mid-wicket.
Who will walk out to bat now? It is going to be Jhye Richardson. He was paid a lot to do the job with the ball but he now will have to do something with the bat.Â
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Good length ball on off, the Aussie covers the line and defends it to the off side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Cracking shot but a very good save! Slightly fuller outside off, Hooda drives it on the up to the right of short cover. The fielder there dives and saves runs for his side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, Hooda looks to drive it on the off side but places it back to the bowler off the inner half of his bat.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Length ball on off, this time Hooda punches it down the ground away from sweeper cover for a brace.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, ! What a shot! Good length ball around off, Hooda gets on his back foor and punches it right out of the screws over cover for a boundary.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Thakur starts with a good length delivery on off. Hooda defends it to the off side.Â
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Angling in a length ball on middle, SRK defends it from the crease to the leg side.
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Appeal for an lbw! A length ball close to off, shaping in and beating Shahrukh's defensive bat. He is pinged on the pads, Chahar appeals but the umpire shakes his head. He tries to convince his skipper but Dhoni also shakes his head. Too high, MS knows.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, ! CAUGHT! Pooran goes back for yet another duck. That is two-in-two for him. Bouncer from Chahar and that gets the wicket. Whatever this man is touching is turning to gold tonight. When it rains, it pours and for Punjab wickets are pouring here. Bouncer on middle, Pooran pulls it. There is just one man at deep square leg. Pooran picks him to perfection. Thakur does not even have to move as it is straight to him.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pooran lets it be.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! CAUGHT! Jadeja into the act once again. First with a run out and now with a very good flying catch. Gaikwad will be a relieved man. He dropped Gayle on 0 and luckily for him it has cost just 10 runs. Chahar gets his second. He should have had Gayle in his first over but he has him in his third over. Chahar goes full and makes this one move away from Gayle and also it is the knuckle ball so the pace does the Universe Boss too. Gayle looks to play it towar
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length and outside off, Jhye drives it off his front foot to covers.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length ball around off, Hooda punches it to the left of mid off and takes a quick but safe single.Â
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, A bouncer to Gayle, it's on middle and the big West Indian decides to duck. Fine over by Sam.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, A one-legged shot! Shortish and on middle, Hooda lifts his front leg and glances it through square leg. A good sliding stop by Chahar and only one run is possible.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the right-hander, Hooda plays it late and opens the face of his bat. But it has gone straight to the backward point fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Back of a length ball on off, Hooda goes on the back foot and uses his height as he defends it down near the surface.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Pitches it up and around off, Deepak drives it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the batsman outside off, on a length, Hooda takes his front foot forward and makes a leave.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Hooda is off the mark and keeps the strike! Good length ball around off, Hooda runs it down to third man and keeps the strike with one.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, WIDE! Chahar misses his line and bowls it down the leg side. Hooda leaves it alone. Wided by the umpire.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! RUN OUT! The dangerous KL Rahul is out of here courtesy of a fabulous piece of fielding from Ravindra Jadeja. He is an exceptional fielder and his exceptional skills have got the better of the Punjab skipper. Fullish ball angling into Gayle around his pad. Gayle looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pad and there is an appeal from Chennai players. The batters meanwhile try to take a leg bye. The ball rolls towards cover-point. Jadeja is not interest
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle keeps it out.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, INSIDE EDGE this time! Length ball outside off, Gayle looks to punch it through mid off but gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it misses the stumps. Dhoni does fabulously well to dive to his right and make the stop.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and the ploy to bowl out Chahar works wonder for Chennai. What a game he has had! Mind-boggling to say the least. A genuine seam-up delivery on off, Hooda is early into his shot, He ends up chipping it straight to mid off. Faf du Plessis there is never going to drop those. He takes a simple catch and half the side is back in the dugout for Punjab. This is outrageous and abysmal batting from Punjab.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, little movement still for Chahar. Hooda defends it.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Single to end the Powerplay. A fantastic one for Chennai. Length ball around off, Hooda strikes it through point and keeps the strike. End of the Powerplay and Punjab are stuttering at 26/4 at the end of the first phase.Â
Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat way too early then he would have hoped for.
Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat when his side are in massive puddle.
Who will walk ut at number 4? It will be the hero from the last game, Deepak Hooda.
Direct hit from Jadeja and they think they have got Rahul.
Who will bowl from the other end? It is going to be Sam Curran!
Chris Gayle walks out at number 3!
Chahar pulls out! Probably lost his run-up!
We are all set for the action to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle. MS Dhoni leads his Chennai troops out for the 200th time. Punjab skipper, KL Rahul walks out with Mayank Agarwal to open the innings for Punjab. Deepak Chahar to start the proceedings with the new ball for Chennai.Â
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul(WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that they did well last game and they are looking to follow the same template. Rahul says that the strip looks the same that is the case in all pitches at Wankhede. Rahul says that he would like to look at how the two Australian bowlers got hit and when a set batter is batting this ground can be cruel on bowlers. Tells he tries to encourage them and back them. Rahul informs they are unchanged as well.
Chennai skipper, MSÂ Dhoni says that the only thing to remember is to bowl good deliveries. Tells a lot of times a few good shot from the batters sees the bowlers deviate from the plan and they need to rectify that. Dhoni says cricket is a mental game and adds adaptability is the key factor. Dhoni says that whoever is mentally stronger comes out as a winner. Dhoni says that the pitch looks a bit tacky and has a bit more grass. Dhoni feels the first 4 overs in the second innings is crucial. Dhoni
Chennai (Playing XI) -Â Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
TOSS - We are all in readiness for the spin of coin. Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, is out in the middle for his 200th game for Chennai. He is joined by Punjab captain, KL Rahul.  Rahul has the coin in hand. Dhoni calls correctly and the coin comes down in his favour in his milestone game. CHENNAI OPT TO BOWL!
Hello and welcome to game number 8 as Punjab takes on Chennai. KL Rahul's side managed to get their campaign off to a nail-biting win and will hope to make it two-in-two and join Bangalore at the top with a 100 percent win record to begin with. Dhoni's Chennai got off to a thumping loss against Delhi at this very venue. Their bowling was well under par on that evening but MS will hope his bowlers can come to the party. The 3-time champions will be desperate not to lose both their opening games.
PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is the pitch expert for the evening. Bishop tells it is a fresh pitch. Adds that there is a tinge of grass at one end but as he walks down it has a fresh cut. Bishop feels there might not be too much movement like game no.7. Bishop tells that dew starts to form later in the contest and when that happens yorkers need to come into play. Reminds us Delhi did not do that and paid a heavy price. Â
So 107 is what Chennai need to hand their skipper a victory in his 200th game for Chennai. This should be a relatively easy chase. Punjab will have to bowl out of their skin to make this even look competitive. Can Punjab do something astronomical or will it be a walk in the park for Chennai? Join us for the chase to find out.
The star of the evening so far, Deepak Chahar is caught for a chat. Chahar says there was a bit more seam than swing and tells they bowled the right areas. Chahar admits last year was difficult for all of them.  Tells last year he was in quarantine for 28 days and came back after just 4 days which was very difficult for him. Tells they got time to prepare and they executed well. Chahar says that chasing 107 should be easy and hopes they can finish well.
A shambolic batting display from Punjab. They will be very thankful that they could buy Shahrukh Khan and Jhye Richardson. As the two were the top two scorers for their side and saved a lot of blushes. Shahrukh Khan in particular was the sole batter who showed some fight. If not for his efforts Punjab would have struggled to get to a three-digit score. Abysmal performance from Punjab to sum it up.
It was the Deepak Chahar show with Jadeja playing the supporting role. Chahar derailed the Punjab innings before it even started going. His 4/14 just murdered Punjab's top order and set the platform for Chennai. Barring Shardul Thakur, every other bowler was on the money. Moeen, Curran, and Bravo were the other two with wickets. Jadeja was economical and a livewire on the field as his brilliant throw got rid of Rahul early on and you can't forget his diving catch to dismiss Gayle.Â
A total trainwreck of an innings from Punjab. Chennai have bulldozed them with the ball in hand and unless a tragic calamity, they are well on course to get their first win of the season. The lions from Chennai were wounded and they have pounced back with their sharp claws and teeth.Â
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Fuller length ball outside off, Shami hangs on the back foot and throws the kitchen sink at it. Ends up slicing it behind point and collects a single. Punjab end on 106/8!
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball around off, angling away, Shami tries his best to connect with his slog across the line but misses.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, NOT ! On a length and outside off, leaving the batsman, Shami throws his bat and slices it over point. He wants to steal the second run, the throw comes to Dhoni who collects and throws it onto the stumps. They appeal and it's referred upstairs. The replays find Shami safe.
Run out appeal taken upstairs.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, A length ball landig around leg, Shami clears his front leg and heaves it in front of square leg for two.
Sam Curran to Mohammed Shami, Superb execution of slower ones by Chennai. Sam runs his fingers and delivers a length ball outside off, Shami swings and misses.
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, ! CAUGHT! The sole batter who showed some fight and took Punjab to a respectable total is out of here too. Shahrukh Khan falls short of a well-deserved fifty but he can go back with his head held high. Sam Curran gets his first wicket of the game. He rolls his finger on it and bangs it short. Shahrukh Khan pulls it but with no timing. He finds Jadeja at deep mid-wicket. Worst fielder to pick because he will never drop those. Once again no mistake from Jaddu
Sam Curran to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Curran bowls a slower length ball way wide outside off, Khan throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Slower one again fools the batsman. Following the batsman down the leg side, a low dipping full toss, Shami is early into the shot and is hit on the pads.
Sam Curran to bowl the final over of the innings.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, 100 up for Punjab! Bravo angles it into the batsman who connects and sends it racing away to the deep mid-wicket region. Moeen manning that region rushes across to his left, puts in a slide and saves two runs for his team.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Another swing and a miss! Bravo takes the pace off this one and delivers it around middle and leg, Shami opens up for a big heave but misses. It goes closely past the leg stump.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Back of a length delivery, around off and cutting away, Shami tries to pull but misses.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, A low dipping full toss outside off, Shahrukh hammers it past the outstretches left hand of the bowler for a run at long off.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Good length ball on middle, Shami rotates his wrists and works it through square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, EDGY ! Doesn't matter how they come at this stage. Thakur goes short and delivers it outside off at 129 kph, Shahrukh attempts for the pull shot but it flies off the top edge and goes behind Dhoni for a boundary. Valuable runs. 9 from the over!
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Too full in length on middle, Khan clips it to deep mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Thakur deceives SRK with a slower one this time. Bowls it on a length and outside off, at 116 kph, Khan swishes and misses.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Fuller in length and outside off at 138 kph, Shahrukh winds up for a big shot down the ground but it skids past the outside edge.
Shardul Thakur to Mohammed Shami, Width on offer outside off, Shami reaches out for it and flashes his blade through the line. Ends up slicing it behind backward point for one.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fuller in length and outside off, Shahrukh throws his bat at it and rockets it over covers. Finds the deep fielder though and hence only a run.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Wide! Good length delivery but too wide outside off, Khan leaves it.
Dwayne Bravo to Mohammed Shami, Length ball on off, Shami taps it to point to see off the over. 6 runs and a wicket off Bravo's first.Â
Mohammed Shami is the new man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, ! CAUGHT! Murugan Ashwin departs and Bravo too joins the party. Gets his first wicket in his first over. Good length ball on off, Murugan Ashwin looks to hit it on the up but ends up scooping it to mid off. Faf du Plessis keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a simple catch.
Time Out! Chennai continue to be on top here. Punjab though have managed to save some blushes thanks to their new recruit Shahrukh Khan. He has kept them in the game and has played a very good knock here. He though will need to continue and fire in the remaining overs if Punjab are to get to a fighting total. Dwayne Bravo to bowl after the break.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Full on the pads, SRK flicks it to the on side for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, ! Nice strike and Shahrukh continues to impress. Slower ball on off, it is in the slot though. Shahrukh Khan waits for it and hits it away from long on for a boundary.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Shahrukh Khan, Slower ball which is full in length around off. It is on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to the left of the bowler.Â
Dwayne Bravo to Murugan Ashwin, DJ starts with a length ball on the pads. It is an off-pace delivery. Ashwin clips it behind square leg for one.
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Back of the hand delivery outside off. Ashwin punches it away from short cover and keeps the strike.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Slower ball which is shorter in length. It bounces like a slow tennis ball. Ashwin leaves it alone.Â
Shardul Thakur to Murugan Ashwin, Good length ball outside off. Ashwin chops his punch to the right of Moeen at short cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Full and wide outside off. Shahrukh Khan guides it to third man for a single.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Good shot! Shahrukh Khan is keeping that glimmer of hope alive. An attempted bouncer but the ball sits up nicely for Shahrukh Khan. He pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Length ball wide outside off. Shahrukh punches it away from sweeper cover for two.
Change in bowling. Shardul Thakur replaces Ravindra Jadeja!
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Allows the ball to spin back in and then pushes it towards cover-point. Looks for a run but Khan declines.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Flighted and outside off, Ashwin forces it across the line but fails to beat the diving mid-wicket fielder.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter and straighter, worked behind square leg for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Once again a shot is played with the spin. This time by Murugan as he finds the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Uses the spin of Moeen and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, ! Gone the distance! SRK won't go down without a fight at Wankhede! He jumps down the track to a fuller delivery on off and smashes it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Tossed up on middle. Ashwin drives it to the left of Jadeja. He dives and saves runs. He has been fantastic in the field tonight. Saying that is like saying water is wet though. He is always tremendous in the field.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Flatter and on middle and leg, Murugan stays back and defends it out with an angled bat. It goes wide of first slip.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Top stop, Chahar! Fullish and on middle, Ashwin flicks on the leg side and Chahar dives across to his right at mid-wicket to stop the ball.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Quicker and on the pads, nudged in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Murugan Ashwin, Leans forward to a flighted ball and slices his drive through cover-point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, SRK taps it to cover and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Short on middle, SRK pulls it to fine leg on the bounce and keeps the strike.
Murugan Ashwin is the new man in.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flatter on off, Shahrukh Khan nudges it to short mid-wicket
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Short on off, Ashwin pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to long on for one.
Moeen Ali to Murugan Ashwin, Floated on off, Ashwin runs it down behind point for one.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, ! BOWLED! Jhye Richardson departs as well. Cannot blame him. His job is to do the damage with the ball. Moeen gets his first wicket of the game. Short and turning in from off stump. Jhye Richardson gets on his back foot to whack it over the leg side. He misses as the ball is not as short as he thought. It goes under his bat to disturb the stumps. The 31-run stand has been broken.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Eases a fuller length ball down to long on and takes a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, ! Finds the gap this time! Flatter and shorter on off, the Aussie is quick to go on the back foot and punches it sweetly through covers. Fetches a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Jumps down the track to a flighted full ball and helps it to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, That is punched off the back foot, but not in the gap.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flatter arm ball on middle, Jhye pushes it out from the inner half to mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length on off, pushed back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on middle, Richardson turns it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Slightly quick, short and flat. It is on off, Jhye pushes it back to the bowler.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on off, Shahrukh Khan milks it to long on and gets a single.Â
Moeen Ali to Jhye Richardson, Floated on off, Richardson glances it to mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on middle and off, Shahrukh flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run.
Moeen Ali to Shahrukh Khan, Moeen starts with a flighted ball on off, Shahrukh keeps it out.Â
Change in bowling. Moeen Ali replaces Shardul Thakur!
TIME ! What have we witnessed? WOW! If you are rubbing your eyes looking at the scorecard then you are not the only one. Punjab have been shambolic so far to say the least. They might have expected bullets to be fired at them but have taken aback by Deepak Chahar's bazooka. Chennai are steamrolling and it will take a herculean effort from Punjab to save this game. A wounded lion is more dangerous, Punjab have found that the hard way.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Tossed up on middle, Richardson pushes it to the man at short mid-wicket.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Floated on off, SRK keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Flighted on middle and off, Shahrukh pushes it to the on side for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, WIDE! Jaddu misses his line and bowls one down the leg side. Jhye looks to flick but misses.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Appeal but going down! Floated on the pads, Jhye looks to play but misses to get hit on the pad. There is an appeal but the umpire is not keen.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it behind square leg for a single.Â
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, Flighted on off, Jhye pushes it to cover.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, ! Superb shot! Length ball outside off, Shahrukh Khan gets on top of the bounce and creams it away from sweeper cover. Deepak Chahar gives it a chase but he cnnot stop it.Â
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Swing and a miss! Bouncer outside off, Shahrukh Khan looks to pull but misses. Lucky not to edge that to the keeper.Â
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Length delivery on middle, Richardson flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
Shardul Thakur to Shahrukh Khan, Fullish on off, Shahrukh Khan strokes it to sweeper cover for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, ! Smoked! A rare short ball on middle, Shahrukh Khan is quick to pounce onto it. He gets on his back foot and heaves it over the cow corner fence for a biggie.
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, Follows the boundary with a single via a dab to third man.
Who will replace Deepak Chahar? It will be Shardul Thakur!
Shardul Thakur to Jhye Richardson, ! Beautiful shot from Richardson! Gets his first boundary in the League! Over pitched on middle and leg, Richardson creams it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, On the stumps, Shahrukh Khan keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Jhye Richardson, On the pads, Richardson turns it to the on side and gets off the mark with one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Tossed up on off, Shahrukh Khan pushes it to long off for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Beaten! There is turn as well on this track. Floated on off, Shahrukh Khan looks to defend but the ball turns and bounces past the outside edge and luckily away from the stumps too.
Ravindra Jadeja to Shahrukh Khan, Jaddu starts with a flatter delivery on middle, Shahrukh Khan blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, EDGED AND ! Gayle has swung hard at it and has got some luck there. Good length delivery outside off, Gayle looks to punch it straight over the bowler's head but gets a thick outside edge which goes over Raina's head at slip for a boundary.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle gets his first boundary! Slightly too full from Chahar. It is on middle, Gayle knows that there is no one at deep mid-wicket so he just clips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, angling away, KL goes on the back foot and punches it to mid off.Â
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, ! Easy pickings! Fuller length ball on middle and leg, shaping down, Rahul gets enough bat behind it and sends it running to the fine leg fence.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Good length ball on off, KL is on the back foot as he defends it to the off side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Fuller in length on middle, shaping in a bit, Rahul defends it with gentle hands to the leg side.
Sam Curran to KL Rahul, Back of a length ball on off, Rahul punches it off his back foot to cover-point.
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, Starts with very full ball on off, Gayle keeps it out towards point and crosses.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fabulous bowling display from Deepak Chahar. He finishes with a maiden and with an outstanding figure of 4/13 from his 4 overs. Just unbelievable. The last ball is a length ball on off, Jhye pushes it to short cover. Chahar has done his job and probably sealed the Man of the Match award as well.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! Gayle has been given an early life by Ruturaj Gaikwad! Chahar should have had two in the over and it was a relatively easy chance for Ruturaj Gaikwad. He surely should have taken this. Full ball outside off, Gayle looks to place it away from backward point. He hits it uppishly to the right of backward point. Gaikwad there is slow to react as the ball comes quickly. It hist his palm and pops out. Gayle takes a single and gets off the mark. How costly
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Chahar goes very full first up to Gayle. It's around off and Chris tries to dig it out. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and it deflects to cover-point. .Gayle looks for a run but KL turns down the proposal.
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, ! BOWLED! Peach of a delivery from Deepak Chahar and it is too good for Mayank Agarwal. He is out of here without troubling the scorers. There was going to be an early movement for the seamers and Deepak Chahar has made the most of it. Good length delivery pitching on middle and off. Mayank Agarwal looks to defend it but the ball shapes away late and Mayank is fully committed to the shot. He is completely squared up and the ball hits the top of off. Unpl
Deepak Chahar to Mayank Agarwal, On a good length and just outside off, Mayank pushes it gently, with an angled bat to point. Straight to the fielder.
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Back of a length delivery on off, Jhye hops and blocks it.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, EDGY! Punjab are underway! Chahar pulls his length back slightly and drops the ball with a lovely seam presentation. Rahul stands back to push it through the line but inside edges it past the stumps towards backward square leg. MS Dhoni runs after it and they cross for a run.
Deepak Chahar to KL Rahul, A hint of movement to start! Chahar starts with a full length ball around middle and leg, getting it to straighten a bit, Rahul plays it cautiously off his pads to mid-wicket.
Who will walk out to bat now? It is going to be Jhye Richardson. He was paid a lot to do the job with the ball but he now will have to do something with the bat.Â
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Good length ball on off, the Aussie covers the line and defends it to the off side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Cracking shot but a very good save! Slightly fuller outside off, Hooda drives it on the up to the right of short cover. The fielder there dives and saves runs for his side.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, Hooda looks to drive it on the off side but places it back to the bowler off the inner half of his bat.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Length ball on off, this time Hooda punches it down the ground away from sweeper cover for a brace.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, ! What a shot! Good length ball around off, Hooda gets on his back foor and punches it right out of the screws over cover for a boundary.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Thakur starts with a good length delivery on off. Hooda defends it to the off side.Â
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Angling in a length ball on middle, SRK defends it from the crease to the leg side.
Deepak Chahar to Shahrukh Khan, Appeal for an lbw! A length ball close to off, shaping in and beating Shahrukh's defensive bat. He is pinged on the pads, Chahar appeals but the umpire shakes his head. He tries to convince his skipper but Dhoni also shakes his head. Too high, MS knows.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, ! CAUGHT! Pooran goes back for yet another duck. That is two-in-two for him. Bouncer from Chahar and that gets the wicket. Whatever this man is touching is turning to gold tonight. When it rains, it pours and for Punjab wickets are pouring here. Bouncer on middle, Pooran pulls it. There is just one man at deep square leg. Pooran picks him to perfection. Thakur does not even have to move as it is straight to him.
Deepak Chahar to Nicholas Pooran, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pooran lets it be.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! CAUGHT! Jadeja into the act once again. First with a run out and now with a very good flying catch. Gaikwad will be a relieved man. He dropped Gayle on 0 and luckily for him it has cost just 10 runs. Chahar gets his second. He should have had Gayle in his first over but he has him in his third over. Chahar goes full and makes this one move away from Gayle and also it is the knuckle ball so the pace does the Universe Boss too. Gayle looks to play it towar
Deepak Chahar to Jhye Richardson, Fuller in length and outside off, Jhye drives it off his front foot to covers.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length ball around off, Hooda punches it to the left of mid off and takes a quick but safe single.Â
Sam Curran to Chris Gayle, A bouncer to Gayle, it's on middle and the big West Indian decides to duck. Fine over by Sam.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, A one-legged shot! Shortish and on middle, Hooda lifts his front leg and glances it through square leg. A good sliding stop by Chahar and only one run is possible.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the right-hander, Hooda plays it late and opens the face of his bat. But it has gone straight to the backward point fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Back of a length ball on off, Hooda goes on the back foot and uses his height as he defends it down near the surface.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Pitches it up and around off, Deepak drives it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder.
Sam Curran to Deepak Hooda, Angling away from the batsman outside off, on a length, Hooda takes his front foot forward and makes a leave.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Hooda is off the mark and keeps the strike! Good length ball around off, Hooda runs it down to third man and keeps the strike with one.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, WIDE! Chahar misses his line and bowls it down the leg side. Hooda leaves it alone. Wided by the umpire.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, ! RUN OUT! The dangerous KL Rahul is out of here courtesy of a fabulous piece of fielding from Ravindra Jadeja. He is an exceptional fielder and his exceptional skills have got the better of the Punjab skipper. Fullish ball angling into Gayle around his pad. Gayle looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pad and there is an appeal from Chennai players. The batters meanwhile try to take a leg bye. The ball rolls towards cover-point. Jadeja is not interest
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, Good length ball on off, Gayle keeps it out.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle, INSIDE EDGE this time! Length ball outside off, Gayle looks to punch it through mid off but gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it misses the stumps. Dhoni does fabulously well to dive to his right and make the stop.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, ! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and the ploy to bowl out Chahar works wonder for Chennai. What a game he has had! Mind-boggling to say the least. A genuine seam-up delivery on off, Hooda is early into his shot, He ends up chipping it straight to mid off. Faf du Plessis there is never going to drop those. He takes a simple catch and half the side is back in the dugout for Punjab. This is outrageous and abysmal batting from Punjab.
Deepak Chahar to Deepak Hooda, Good length delivery on off, little movement still for Chahar. Hooda defends it.
Shardul Thakur to Deepak Hooda, Single to end the Powerplay. A fantastic one for Chennai. Length ball around off, Hooda strikes it through point and keeps the strike. End of the Powerplay and Punjab are stuttering at 26/4 at the end of the first phase.Â
Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat way too early then he would have hoped for.
Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat when his side are in massive puddle.
Who will walk ut at number 4? It will be the hero from the last game, Deepak Hooda.
Direct hit from Jadeja and they think they have got Rahul.
Who will bowl from the other end? It is going to be Sam Curran!
Chris Gayle walks out at number 3!
Chahar pulls out! Probably lost his run-up!
We are all set for the action to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle. MS Dhoni leads his Chennai troops out for the 200th time. Punjab skipper, KL Rahul walks out with Mayank Agarwal to open the innings for Punjab. Deepak Chahar to start the proceedings with the new ball for Chennai.Â
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul(WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
Punjab skipper, KL Rahul says that they did well last game and they are looking to follow the same template. Rahul says that the strip looks the same that is the case in all pitches at Wankhede. Rahul says that he would like to look at how the two Australian bowlers got hit and when a set batter is batting this ground can be cruel on bowlers. Tells he tries to encourage them and back them. Rahul informs they are unchanged as well.
Chennai skipper, MSÂ Dhoni says that the only thing to remember is to bowl good deliveries. Tells a lot of times a few good shot from the batters sees the bowlers deviate from the plan and they need to rectify that. Dhoni says cricket is a mental game and adds adaptability is the key factor. Dhoni says that whoever is mentally stronger comes out as a winner. Dhoni says that the pitch looks a bit tacky and has a bit more grass. Dhoni feels the first 4 overs in the second innings is crucial. Dhoni
Chennai (Playing XI) -Â Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar.
TOSS - We are all in readiness for the spin of coin. Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni, is out in the middle for his 200th game for Chennai. He is joined by Punjab captain, KL Rahul.  Rahul has the coin in hand. Dhoni calls correctly and the coin comes down in his favour in his milestone game. CHENNAI OPT TO BOWL!
Hello and welcome to game number 8 as Punjab takes on Chennai. KL Rahul's side managed to get their campaign off to a nail-biting win and will hope to make it two-in-two and join Bangalore at the top with a 100 percent win record to begin with. Dhoni's Chennai got off to a thumping loss against Delhi at this very venue. Their bowling was well under par on that evening but MS will hope his bowlers can come to the party. The 3-time champions will be desperate not to lose both their opening games.
PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is the pitch expert for the evening. Bishop tells it is a fresh pitch. Adds that there is a tinge of grass at one end but as he walks down it has a fresh cut. Bishop feels there might not be too much movement like game no.7. Bishop tells that dew starts to form later in the contest and when that happens yorkers need to come into play. Reminds us Delhi did not do that and paid a heavy price. Â