Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings, Indian Premier League, 2021 Full score card

SIX! BANG! KL Rahul finishes things off in style with a maximum! Thakur bangs it into the deck, outside off. Rahul stays back and pulls it high in the air and over the deep mid-wicket fielder for a massive biggie! PUNJAB WIN THE MATCH BY 6 WICKETS!

FOUR! Sloppy from the birthday boy, Dwayne Bravo at long on! Back of a length, around off. KL Rahul smacks it wide of long on. Dwayne Bravo runs there but fails to grab it and he concedes a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off. Moises Henriques hangs back and guides it to third man for a single.

Good-length ball, outside off. Moises Henriques heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs.

Length ball, outside off. Moises Henriques moves across and looks to scoop but he fails to connect it and the ball lands in front of the bowler off his pads.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shardul Thakur gets his man! He serves it on a length, just outside off. Aiden Markram looks to loft it over covers but it takes the outside edge and the ball goes straight to MS Dhoni, behind the sticks, who takes a simple catch. Moises Henriques is in next.

Shardul Thakur comes back into the attack.

Bravo again bowls it slow, on a length around leg, Aiden steps back and clips it to deep mid-wicket. Another run taken, 20 from the over, 9 needed more.

Too full and on middle, Rahul clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wide! Short and wide outside off, Rahul leaves it. 11 to win, KL is 13 away from his century.

Slower length ball around middle, Rahul gently works it in the mid-wicket region for a couple.

SIX! Take that! Fuller in length, around off and angling away from the batsman, Rahul finds it in his slot and lifts it over the bowler's head. Terrific swing of his bat and the ball is deposited over long on.

Wide! Full toss again, slower one, but it's down the leg side, Rahul leaves.

SIX! KL Rahul continues to impress! A full toss, around leg, KL Rahul brings his wrists into play, picks it off his pads and dumps it over backward square leg for a biggie. Effortless.

Bravo bowls it slow and short around leg, Rahul pulls it to the left of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Back of a length, around off. KL Rahul stays back and flat-bats it to long on for a single. 29 runs needed off 54 balls!

Wide! Too wide, outside off. KL Rahul looks to reach out for it but he misses. Wide called by the umpire.

Another slower ball, on a length, around middle. Aiden Markram gets deceived by the change of pace and he checks his drive to mid on for a run.

In the air...safe! Slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Aiden Markram stays back and lofts it over cover-point. Two taken!

Slower ball, on a length, outside off. KL Rahul drives it to sweeper cover for one.

SIX! WOW, JUST WOW! Take that, says KL Rahul! Length ball, around off. KL stays back and lofts it over the bowler's head for a maximum. It went many a mile!

Wide! Chahar spills this one way outside off. KL Rahul lets it be. Wided!

Slower ball, banged into the deck, around off. Aiden Markram drags it to long on to collect a single.

Shortish and outside off, Aiden pushes it from the toe end of his bat to mid off for a run. 11 from Bravo's first over. 43 needed off 60 balls.

SIX! Markram has sent this one packing! Short and around off at 128.1 kph, Aiden stays on the back foot to ride the bounce and muscles his pull over mid-wicket. Absolutely nailed.

Slower one, on middle at 105 kph, Rahul helps it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

Fuller and on middle, Markram eases it down to long on for a single.

Mishit but safe! Bravo bowls a slower delivery, short in length around leg, Rahul plays a mistimed pull shot down to fine leg. They take one.

In the air but wide of Dhoni. A low full toss down the leg side, Rahul spoons it in the air towards fine leg and takes a couple of runs.

Strategic Time-out! KL Rahul is looking in a hurry to finish the game as early as possible but he is losing partners at the other end. Chennai need to keep picking up wickets if they are to win this game as they are not left with many runs to play with! Dwayne Bravo comes to bowl now. Also, Aiden Markram is the new batter.

OUT! Shahrukh Khan holes out! Deepak Chahar opts for the short delivery and bowls it wide outside off at 132.1 kph, Khan has to fetch it from there as he attempts to play the pull shot. The bounce though gets big on him and it takes the top edge. The birthday boy, Dwayne Bravo, is underneath it at long on and takes the catch safely. 55 needed off 66 balls.

Length ball, outside off. KL Rahul looks to play a similar kind of shot but he miscues it and the ball goes over mid-wicket for a run.

SIX! KL Rahul is unstoppable at the moment. Chahar delivers it on a length around off, at 129.8 kph, KL Rahul walks across the stumps and smashes it over fine leg for a biggie.

Good-length ball, on middle. Shahrukh Khan works it down the ground for a run.

BEATEN! Good-length ball, outside off. Shahrukh Khan looks to poke at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Full ball, way outside off. KL Rahul reaches out and drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Deepak Chahar comes back to bowl.

Ravindra Jadeja fires this flatter, on the stumps. Shahrukh Khan looks to cut but ends up hitting it back to the bowler as he gets the inside half of his bat on that one.

SIX! Smoked away! That's the reputation of this batsman. Flatter delivery, around middle, Shahrukh Khan gives it the full whack of his bat and towers it over wide long on for a maximum.

Goes back to a shortish ball and punches it to sweeper cover for one.

Flatter, on the pads, Shahrukh Khan clips it to backward square leg for a single.

Flatter, on middle, Shahrukh Khan pushes it back to the bowler.

Full ball, on the leg stump, KL Rahul knocks it down to long on for a run. FIFTY FOR RAHUL, off 25 balls. A fantastic knock from the skipper.

Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack.

Good-length ball, outside off. KL Rahul presses forward and carves it to sweeper cover for a single.

Length ball, angling in from middle. KL Rahul pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! WOW! Back of a length, around off. KL Rahul stands tall and drives on the up past the point fielder for a boundary now.

SIX! Glorious! KL Rahul is on a roll! Full ball, darted on the pads. KL whips it off his pads way over deep square leg for a biggie!

Length ball, around off. KL Rahul drives it back to the bowler.

Good-length ball, on off. KL Rahul pushes it to covers off the front foot.

Another swing, another miss. At 140.9 kph, Josh Hazlewood serves it on a length around off, Khan tries to heave but misses. Three dots to end the over, Punjab are 51/2 at the end of the Powerplay, 84 needed off 84 balls.

Swing and a miss! Short in length and outside off at 140.2 kph, Shahrukh Khan stands tall and attempts to pull but fails to connect.

Sharp delivery, a bit short at 138 kph, Khan tries to defend but it takes his gloves and rolls to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on off, it's guided down to third man for a single.

The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

FOUR! KL Rahul will continue to play his shots! Full and outside off, Rahul plays an elegant shot again, lofts it clinically over wide mid off for a boundary.

Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sarfaraz Khan falls cheaply and Shardul Thakur has two wickets in the over. He angles in a full ball around off at 137.5 kph, Sarfaraz Khan decides to flick it on the leg side but fails to close the face of his bat in time. It flies off the leading edge to mid off where Faf du Plessis moves across to his right to take the catch safely.

Good length, on middle, Khan tucks it on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.

Outside off, pushed to the off side and the point fielder stops it well.

Sarfaraz Khan is the new man in.

OUT! Mayank is gone, LBW! A wicket against the run of play. Shardul delivers it on a length around middle and gets it to angle in, Mayank Agarwal shuffles across the stumps slightly as he tries to flick but misses. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal and the finger has gone up. Agarwal has a shocked look on his face, looks at his partner and they eventually spend all the time discussing. No DRS taken. Punjab have lost a wicket. Hang on, the Ball Tracker shows that it's missing leg. Punjab have missed a trick here.

In the air... safe! Back of a length, around off, Agarwal is early into the pull shot and mistimes it in the air towards mid on. Doesn't carry to the fielder.

FOUR! It's raining boundaries at the moment for Punjab. This one is a lucky one though. On a length around off at 132.1 kph, Mayank tries to heave it over the leg side but gets an outside edge over short third man.

Shardul Thakur comes into the attack now.

Darts it in, on a length, Rahul defends it from the back foot to the off side. 15 from the over, Punjab are off to a flying start, yet again.

SIX! Wow, KL Rahul is oozing class. Short and around off, at 137 clicks, KL picks up the length early, gets into the position quickly and smokes it over deep square leg. Towards the longest part of the ground but still, it has gone all the way with ease.

The batsman has just blocked that from his crease.

FOUR! Lovely! Short and around middle and leg, KL Rahul gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with full control to fine leg for a boundary.

FOUR! Superb shot! Good length, around off, KL Rahul stays back and lofts it elegantly over mid off for a boundary.

Good stop by Ambati Rayudu! On a length around off, Mayank Agarwal pushes it to covers and sets off for a run. Rayudu dives across to his left to stop the racing ball. Mayank is sent back as Rayudu misses his shy at the striker's end. Now, they cross for an overthrow.

Short again but the line is wide outside off, at 135.2 kph, Mayank slaps it to deep cover for a single.

FOUR! Connects and connects well this time. A touch short and around off, at 131.7 kph, Mayank Agarwal stays on the back foot and heaves it over mid-wicket. It races away to the fence.

Excellent bouncer, around off at 133.3 kph, Mayank Agarwal tries to pull but it bounces over his blade.

On a length around middle, Rahul nudges it in front of square leg for a single.

Shortish and on off, at 133.7 kph, KL sticks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

SIX! What a shot! Short in length and angling down the leg side, Rahul picks it up off his pads and smacks it all the way over backward square leg for a biggie.

Aerial but safe! Width on offer outside off, short in length at 140.9 kph, KL Rahul flashes his bat at it and edges it wide of the diving backward point fielder. A single is taken.

Back of a length on off, at 135.9 kph, KL sticks back and plays it down to third man for a single.

The physio is out as per the concussion protocol as KL Rahul has been hit hard on the grill of his helmet. He looks fine and we are good to resume.

Bang on the helmet! Josh Hazlewood lands it a bit short and around off at 136.3 kph, KL Rahul tries to step down and pull but it takes the top edge and deflects onto the helmet. Nasty hit.

Full and on off, angling in, Rahul plays close to his body and defends it to the off side.

Goes full and around off at 139.5 kph, Mayank steps back to make room and plays a mistimed drive to mid off. They pinch a single.

Beauty from Josh! Delivers it on a length and close to off, it straightens a bit with extra bounce and squares up Agarwal in defense. Beats the outside edge by a whisker.

FOUR! Edgy! Chahar serves it on a length around off at 131.9 kph, Rahul looks for another lofted shot over the off side but this time it takes the outside edge and flies over short third man for a boundary. 11 from the opening over!

Josh Hazlewood will bowl from the other end.

Wide! A 133.5 kph delivery, full and down the leg side, KL tries to flick but misses. Dhoni dives across to his left to collect the ball.

FOUR! Here comes the first boundary of the chase. Full in length and outside off at 133.6 kph, KL Rahul opts for the aerial route and lofts it over covers. He has not connected it properly but it's enough to clear the infield and find the fence.

A touch short and on off, at 132.3 kph, Agarwal allows the ball to come to him and deflects it late down to third man for a run.

On a length and close to off, at 132 kph, Agarwal drives it a bit aerially but safely towards backward point.

A near-yorker outside off at 130.6 kph, Agarwal reaches out and pushes it to covers.

Starts with a pitched up delivery, around off at 128.2 kph, Rahul drives it to the left of mid off and opens his account with a single.

Dot to end proceedings. Short and around off, Bravo aims to pull but fails to connect. Chennai finish on 134/6.

FOUR! The birthday boy scores a boundary. A low full toss outside off, Bravo lifts it cleanly over covers for a boundary.

Wide! Attempted slower one from Shami but he has delivered it way wide outside off, Bravo allows it through.

Very full and outside off, Jadeja whips it in front of square leg for a single.

Dwayne Bravo walks out to bat.

OUT! Shami gets rid of Faf du Plessis. It's short and around off at 142 kph, du Plessis tries to pull but only manages a top edge. It flies behind and KL Rahul runs forward to his left to complete the catch. End of a fabulous knock and could prove to be the match-winning one.

SIX! Faf du Plessis is providing a rollicking finish to Chennai. Back of a length, outside off, du Plessis clears his front leg, opens his arms and powers it over long on. The ball lands flush on the rope.

FOUR! Time to attack! Short in length, around off, Faf du Plessis rocks back and hammer-pulls it to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Mohammed Shami (3-0-6-0) comes back to bowl the last over of the innings.

Full and outside off, Faf keeps it out to covers for a single.

SIX! Nailed it! Arshdeep misses his mark and delivers right in the slot for the batter, Faf du Plessis clears his front leg and muscles it over long on for a maximum.

NOT OUT! Arshdeep fires in a full toss, around middle and leg, Jadeja tries to whip it across the line but misses. He is thudded on the back leg and the ball rolls behind. The bowler is appealing and the batters cross. The umpire shows no interest and KL Rahul takes a late decision to refer it. Ball Tracker shows that it's clipping the leg stump. Umpire's call. The 50-run stand comes up.

Review time! KL Rahul has opted for a review as Ravindra Jadeja has been struck low on his pads.

A yorker-length delivery, around off, du Plessis squeezes it out through cover-point for a single.

Swing and a miss! Arshdeep Singh digs it in short and around off, angling away at 130.6 kph, Faf du Plessis tries to pull but misses.

Fuller in length and outside off, Jadeja drives it to deep cover for a single.

Arshdeep Singh will bowl the penultimate over of the innings.

FOUR! What a shot! A very full delivery, around off, Faf du Plessis gets low and bludgeons it back past the bowler for a boundary down the ground. 12 from this over!

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Chennai! Short in length around off, at 123.2 kph, du Plessis stays back and pulls it powerfully in front of square leg for a boundary.

Shortish and on off, Jadeja hammers it from the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single. 100 up!

A low full toss around off, at 142 kph, du Plessis pushes it out to mid off for a run. FIFTY FOR DU PLESSIS! Can he finish it well for Chennai?

Fractionally short and on off, at 113.5 kph, Ravindra Jadeja hangs on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. He also gets a single.

Jordan begins his spell with a short ball around off, Faf du Plessis pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Chris Jordan (2-0-8-2) comes back to bowl.

A full toss around off, hit down the ground over mid on. A single to close the over, 10 from it.

Fuller and outside off, Faf lofts it over covers and bags a couple of runs.

Faf du Plessis is eyeing his fifty here. Chennai would be hoping that he lasts the distance.

Put down! Slower one, on a length around off, Faf du Plessis goes hard at it but it takes the inside part and lobs back to the bowler. Arshdeep Singh fails to catch it in his followthrough.

There is a slight halt in play as Faf du Plessis opts for a new pair of gloves!

FOUR! Streaky. They all count in the end overs. Singh fires across a length delivery outside off, Faf du Plessis clears his front leg for a big heave-ho over the leg side but edges it over short third man.

Wide! Arshdeep Singh alters his length to go short but it's way too over the head of the batter. Called a wide.

On a length and angling into the left-hander, Jadeja moves back and plays it with soft hands towards mid on. He runs the first run hard as Arshdeep goes after the ball. The second run is turned down by du Plessis.

Slightly short in length on off, angling away, du Plessis keeps his weight on the back foot and forces it towards sweeper cover for a run.

Strategic Time-Out! Punjab are bossing this game going into the death overs and Chennai would be hoping that the batters at the crease take them deep and finish on a high! How much more will Chennai add to their total? Exciting last 4 overs coming up! Also, Arshdeep Singh (2-0-16-2) comes into the attack.

Floated delivery, wide outside off, Jadeja tries to cut but misses. Ravi Bishnoi is also done with his four overs, 1/25.

Flatter and on middle, du Plessis goes deep inside the crease and helps it behind square leg. They cross.

Play and a miss! Tossed up, around off and spinning away, du Plessis aims for an inside-out shot but misses.

Loopy and full on middle, du Plessis flicks it with gentle hands to deep mid-wicket and collects a couple.

Flighted and full on off, defended back to the bowler.

Flatter ball, attacking the stumps, Jadeja has his bat down in time as he keeps it out in the gap at square leg. They cross.

Ravi Bishnoi (3-0-21-1) comes back into the attack.

Flatter arm ball on off, du Plessis steps back to cut but is cramped up for room. It rolls back to the bowler. 4-0-22-0, Harpreet Brar is done.

Quicker and on middle, Jadeja eases it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Fires it flat and full on middle, Faf drills it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Harpreet Brar drags his length short and delivers it on middle, du Plessis rocks back and pulls it powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence. He holds the key for Chennai!

Fuller and on middle, tickled to mid-wicket for a single.

Shortish around leg, Jadeja nudges it to short fine leg, finds the fielder. Good call from Faf to turn down the single.

Good-length ball, on leg. Jadeja tucks it to square leg for a run. 9 runs off the over!

FOUR! Clever batting this, from Ravindra Jadeja! Henriques serves a short ball, outside off. Jadeja hangs back and guides it past Mohammed Shami at short third man for a boundary.

Short of a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis cuts it to sweeper cover for a run.

A full toss, outside off. Ravindra Jadeja pushes it to mid off and scampers through for a single. Chris Jordan collects the ball cleanly but he misses his shy at the non-striker's end.

Back of a length, around off. Faf du Plessis hangs back and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wide! Henriques spills this one down leg. Faf du Plessis misses his flick and KL Rahul fumbles behind the sticks. No harm done though!

Moises Henriques comes into the attack.

Length ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis drives hard but finds the extra cover fielder.

Loopy and full on middle, Faf du Plessis works it to deep square leg for a single.

Flatter on off, forced down towards mid off for a quick run.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and helps it to the leg side. Harpreet Brar stops it to his left.

Quicker one, flat and short outside off, Ravindra Jadeja stays back and pushes it out to the off side.

Flatter and shorter, punched to covers where the fielder fumbled and they crossed.

In walks Ravindra Jadeja.

Short in length and outside off, Faf cuts it through point and returns for the second run.

OUT! BOWLED! It is that man again, Ravi Bishnoi! And he gets the big fish this time! He bowls a googly that lands outside off, on a length. MS Dhoni reaches out and looks to have a slash at it but it takes the inside edge and the ball crashes onto his stumps. Excellent bowling from the young lad and Chennai are in deep, deep trouble now!

Loopy ball, outside off. Faf du Plessis slaps it to long off to rotate the strike.

Tossed up, around off. MS Dhoni drills it down the ground for a single.

Flatter and quicker, around middle. MS Dhoni blocks it out.

Flatter ball, outside off. MS Dhoni guides it behind square on the off side.

FOUR! MS Dhoni means business! Tossed up, outside off. Dhoni reaches out and smacks it over covers. The ball goes into the fence, on the bounce!

Full and around off, pushed back towards the bowler who made a diving stop.

Wide! Skidding down the leg side, Faf du Plessis tries to flick but misses.

Flatter ball, shorter, MS Dhoni works it towards the mid-wicket area for a single.

Fuller, outside off, MS Dhoni pushes it towards the off side. Another dot ball!

Shorter length, on off, MS Dhoni skips down the track and looks to defend it. He does but not convincingly.

Flatter, on the pads, MS Dhoni looks to work it away towards the on side but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Fuller, outside off, MS Dhoni drives it to the cover fielder in the ring.

Fuller in length, around off. Faf du Plessis digs it out back to the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely done! A half-tracker, outside off. Faf du Plessis stays back and cuts it hard past the sweeper cover for a boundary.

Tossed up, outside off. MS Dhoni drives it through covers to collect a single.

BEATEN! Flatter ball, turning away sharply after landing, outside off. MS Dhoni presses forward to block but the ball zips past his outside edge.

Well bowled! Bishnoi sees Dhoni advancing down the track, he drags his length back, on off. MS Dhoni blocks it out.

FOUR! Punished by MS Dhoni! A juicy full toss, outside off. Dhoni skips down and hits it past the diving short third man fielder for a boundary.

On a length, on middle, Faf du Plessis works it towards the mid-wicket region. DOT BALL AGAIN!

Shout for a caught behind! Not given. Length ball, outside off, Faf du Plessis looks to cut it but the ball misses his blade by just a whisker. KL Rahul collects and they appeal unsuccessfully. Punjab are thinking about the review as there's some noise but decide otherwise. Nothing on the UltraEdge.

WIDE! Chris Jordan drags it down the leg side. Faf du Plessis leaves it alone as the ball goes away to the keeper.

Back of a length, outside off, MS Dhoni guides it towards the third man region for a single. He is off the mark!

Strategic Time-Out! Punjab are all over Chennai at the moment. They have removed the cream of their batting and have them on the mat. Can Punjab keep the upper hand? Here comes MS Dhoni to partner du Plessis.

OUT! Another good running catch in the deep! Jordan has two in the match now. The Englishman bowls it short and around off, at 138.3 kph, Rayudu steps back and forward to slap it over the infield on the off side. He doesn't get it from the middle of the bat and it flies to deep point. Arshdeep Singh sprints across to his left and takes a fantastic catch. Rayudu returns and Chennai are four down now.

Almost chopped on there! On a length, nipping into Ambati Rayudu who looks to cut but gets an inside edge just away from the off stump towards the fine leg area for a couple.

Length ball, wide, outside off, Faf du Plessis cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

Tossed up, on middle and leg. Faf du Plessis works it to deep mid-wicket to collect a run and he will keep the strike for the next over.

Wide! Full and too wide, outside off. Faf du Plessis leaves it alone. Wide called by the umpire.

Floated, around off. Ambati Rayudu presses forward and taps it to the right of the backward point fielder for one.

Quicker ball, on a length, outside off. Faf du Plessis cuts it towards sweeper cover for a single.

Flatter ball, outside off. Ambati Rayudu cuts it to deep point for a single.

A googly, landing on leg and turning sharply. Ambati Rayudu misses his tickle to fine leg and Punjab appeal. KL Rahul thinks he has got his man here but the umpire is unmoved. Not called a wide and Ambati Rayudu is not happy.

Bishnoi tosses this one up, outside off. Faf du Plessis stays back and taps it past point to take a run.

Ambati Rayudu is in next.

Back of a length, jagging back in sharply from middle. Faf du Plessis taps it to backward point and collects a single. Just 3 runs and a wicket off this over!

OUT! Chris Jordan strikes in his first over! Short and wide around off, Robin Uthappa goes for the pull shot but miscues it. Gets a top edge as the ball flies towards the deep mid-wicket region and Harpreet Brar runs across to his left in the deep to complete a great tumbling catch. Chennai are now three down and in trouble.

Back of a length, on middle, Robin Uthappa pushes it off the back foot towards the mid on area. DOT BALL!

On a length, outside off, Faf du Plessis guides it towards point for a single.

Length ball, on the stumps, Robin Uthappa works it towards the long on fielder for a single.

Chris Jordan comes to bowl.

Good start by Jordan! Back of a length, outside off, Robin Uthappa pokes at it tentatively and the ball just misses the outside edge of his blade on its way to the keeper.

Identical to the last delivery, this time Robin Uthappa guides it down to third man for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Chennai are 30/2.

On a length around off, at 130.5 kph, Robin Uthappa plays it down from the crease to point.

Robin Uthappa is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Well bowled by Arshdeep Singh. Perfect line and length from him, just around off with a lovely seam presentation. He clocks 133.5 kph and gets it to move away a bit too with some extra bounce. Moeen stands back and probably tries to play late to explore the third man region. But all he manages is an outside edge to the keeper. KL Rahul grabs it safely and Chennai are two down inside the Powerplay.

Arshdeep switches to 'round the wicket and angles in a full ball on off, Faf du Plessis pushes it to covers and takes a single.

FOUR! Faf du Plessis has started to motor along now. Arshdeep responds with a short delivery after getting hit for a boundary on the last ball, Faf du Plessis anticipates it well and pulls it powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence.

FOUR! Glorious! Fuller in length, around middle and off, du Plessis stays leg-side of this delivery and crunches it down the ground through mid off for a boundary.

There is a slight halt in play as Faf du Plessis is having an issue with the sightscreen! It is sorted now and we are good to go!

Slower one, on middle and off at 119.4 kph, Moeen plays late and taps it down to point. Superb over.

A bit uppish. Full in length around off, angling away, Moeen drives it on the up but fails to find the gap. It goes rolling to extra cover.

Back of a length around off, at 138.4 kph, Moeen defends it from the back foot to extra cover.

Moeen gets hurried up! Shami bangs it in short, around off, Ali mistimes his pull shot in the air. Luckily for him, the ball doesn't carry to mid on.

Around off on a length, Moeen stays on the back foot and defends it down on the surface.

Shortish and on middle, Faf du Plessis uses his wrists to work it towards square leg. It's straight towards the fielder but they still cross for a risky run.

A touch short and close to off, angling away from the batsman, du Plessis plays late and guides it towards short third man. Mayank Agarwal makes a diving stop and prevents a boundary. A single to end a successful over for Arshdeep Singh.

Moeen Ali walks out to bat.

OUT! Gaikwad has been bounced out yet again! Arshdeep provides Punjab with the first breakthrough. Digs in a short delivery, around off and climbing onto the batsman at 131 clicks, Ruturaj Gaikwad tries to pull but it takes the top edge and flies to mid-wicket. Shahrukh Khan is waiting there with open arms. He catches it with ease and Chennai lose their first wicket.

Faf uses his feet for this delivery. The length is short and the line is on middle and off, du Plessis mistimes his shot to mid off for a single.

Angling away from the batsman, on a length, Gaikwad taps it down in front of point and takes a single.

This one is served around middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it wide of short fine leg and takes a couple of runs.

Back of a length around middle and off, du Plessis stands across inside the crease and tickles it behind square leg for a single.

Arshdeep Singh comes into the attack now. He replaces Harpreet Brar.

Streaky! Shami delivers it on a length around off, du Plessis clears his front leg to heave it over the leg side but only manages an outside edge. It goes to third man and they take a run. 3 good overs from Punjab!

A 139.6 kph yorker around off, Faf du Plessis digs it out back to the bowler.

Play and a miss! Faf du Plessis tries to be adventurous but fails to execute his shot. On a length and outside off at 133 clicks, Faf shuffles across for the paddle scoop but it beats his bat.

Around middle and leg, on a length, it's easily worked around the corner for a single at square leg.

Shortish and on off, Gaikwad pushes it with an angled bat to backward point.

Slightly short and around off, angling in, Gaikwad defends it from the back foot to point.

Quicker and fuller on off, Faf du Plessis walks forward and drives but finds the extra cover fielder. A good comeback by Brar.

Flatter and on the pads, tucked behind square leg for a single.

Aerial but safe! Flatter and fuller around middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad top-edges his attempted sweep shot. The ball loops in the air but doesn't carry to short fine leg.

Two wides! Another one skidding down the leg side, the latter fails to work it around and the keeper also fumbles. Ruturaj Gaikwad calls his partner for a run.

Fires in a quicker one, on middle and leg, angling down, du Plessis fails to keep it out and is hit on the pads.

Short in length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad steps back to cut but finds the point fielder. Either side of that fielder and that would have been a boundary. They cross.

FOUR! Straightaway Ruturaj Gaikwad is on the attack. Full and flighted on middle, Gaikwad skips down the track and smashes it over wide mid on. Chris Jordan gives the chase, tries his best to pull it back but fails to do so cleanly. The ball has touched the fence.

Harpreet Brar will bowl from the other end.

Full and on middle, angling in, du Plessis gets behind the line and blocks it safely. 3 from the first over!

Unconvincing from Ruturaj Gaikwad. Short and around middle, Gaikwad walks down to work it away but fails to middle his shot. The ball kisses the gloves and falls safely behind square leg. They cross.

Again an inside edge. Shami goes fuller and serves it on off, Gaikwad looks to defend but it takes the inside edge. The ball deflects off his pads to covers.

Lands it on a length close to off, shaping in a bit, Ruturaj Gaikwad tries to defend close to his body but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Du Plessis also opens his account immediately. Fuller and on middle, Faf bunts it down in front of mid on and scampers across to the other end.

Chennai are away straightaway! Shami starts with a delivery that is a little too straight in line, on a length and angling down, Ruturaj Gaikwad clips it off his pads to deep backward square leg for a single.

We are set for the game to begin! The players of Punjab are in a huddle before dispersing on the field! Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis are the opening batters for Chennai who are at the crease! Mohammed Shami to start the proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

Chennai (Unchanged Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques, Harpreet Brar, Chris Jordan (In for Nicholas Pooran), Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi.

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai, says that it's tough to maintain fitness but it looks good and there are no concerns as such. Informs that they are playing the same XI as the wicket looks good and heat is a factor and they would have batted first anyway. On playing for Chennai next season, Dhoni smiles and says that we will see him in yellow, playing or not, he is not sure, as there are a lot of uncertainties coming up, two new teams are coming and they don't know the retention policy. Hopes it is good for everyone.

KL Rahul, the captain of Punjab, says that they are bowling first as that will allow them to know the target. Adds that the middle order has tried its best but has not delivered at times and it has not been able to soak the pressure. Tells that they are a talented bunch of players and as a young group, this is something they can learn and improve on. Informs that Chris Jordan is replacing Nicholas Pooran in the XI.

Toss - MS Dhoni and KL Rahul are in the middle. The former flips the coin, Rahul calls Heads and it has come down as Heads. PUNJAB ELECT TO FIELD!

Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa is down there inspecting the conditions. The Zimbabwean starts by informing the obvious - It's very hot! He shares that they are using pitch number 3 for this encounter, which means they are moving away from the centre - 60m boundary on one side and 73m on the other. The batters will have to smartly pick their areas for the big shots. Batters will enjoy this, reckons Pommie.

One team has got the ice cream and wants a cherry on the top while the other team is still struggling to get hold of the ice cream. That's the situation of Chennai (eyeing the top 2 finish) and Punjab (hoping for a backdoor entry to the playoffs) currently on the table of the 2021 Indian T20 League. To be inconsistent has become second nature to Punjab and the UAE leg has been no different. For Chennai, they seem to have taken their foot off the pedal slightly in the last two games. It's hard to say that they have lost steam as the fighting instinct remains their second nature and the last match against Delhi was a good example of that. They fought well and this kind of workout before the playoffs ain't a bad practice. Anyway, in this afternoon heat of Dubai, both teams will have different motives to achieve. Who will succeed? Only time will tell.

.... Match Day ....