Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings, IPL, 2023 Full score card

What a finish! The home crowd has been silenced as the Punjab team celebrates valiantly. Short of a length and over middle, Sikandar Raza gets inside the line of the ball and pulls it over backward square leg. Maheesh Theekshana from inside the ring runs after it and just about manages to pull it back in. The batters push hard and get back for the third run to seal the win. PUNJAB WIN BY 4 WICKETS!

Play halted! What's going on out there? The batters are having a chat with the umpire. They are asking for a runner for the last ball supposedly. Nothing doing and we continue.

Two more! Slingy delivery, pushed outside off, Sikandar Raza shuffles across and pulls it away toward deep square leg. The batters scamper back for two. 3 needed now off 1 ball and the crowd is going wild.

Full and straight, heaved away in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 5 needed now off 2 balls and Punjab are one hit away.

A golden dot ball! Slower ball, on a length and outside off, Sikandar Raza throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect. MS Dhoni does well to get behind the ball as it bounces a second time.

Leg bye! Top delivery! Full and quick, gets it in at the toes. Shahrukh Khan fails to dig it out. The ball thuds into the padas and rolls toward backward point. They get a leg bye.

Full and wide outside off, Sikandar Raza reaches out and drives it to deep cover for a single.

A single to end and now, Punjab need 9 runs off the final over. Slower and shorter over middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket by Sikandar Raza for a single.

WIDE! Just a bit too wide. Full and quick, just beyond the tramline outside off, wide called. 10 needed now off 7 balls.

FOUR! Poor delivery! A juicy full toss outside off, Sikandar Raza throws his hands at it but the ball goes off the cue end of the bat and runs away quickly into the third man fence.

Sikandar Raza is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Oh, my God! One of the most dramatic catches we will ever see! Tushar Deshpande bowls another slower one, back of a length and outside off. Jitesh Sharma goes hard at it and tries to slog it away. The ball though comes off the toe end of the bat and skies it really high toward long on. The substitute fielder, Shaik Rasheed runs back and settles under it well to grab it. Unfortunately, Rasheed slips and his foot seems to have just brushed the boundary cushion. The third umpire checks it thoroughly and finds that the foot didn't touch the ropes. itesh haas to walk back!

Good change up! Tushar Deshpande bowls this one slower and outside off, rolling his fingers over the ball. Jitesh Sharma looks for the big heave across the line but is through his shot way too early.

WIDE! Full and wide, spilled well beyond the tramline outside off. Jitesh Sharma fails to reach it and a wide is called.

Very full again and outside off, Jitesh Sharma meets it on the full and hammers it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Jitesh Sharma begins the over in fine fashion. A low full toss, well outside off, Sharma reaches out and lifts it over the cover region for a boundary.

Just a single to end and now 22 runs are needed off 12 balls. Full and wide of the off stump, Jitesh Sharma strokes it away to deep cover for a single.

Surprise, surprise! Shahrukh Khan gets set for the yorker but Matheesha Pathirana outsmarts him with a short one. Khan gets hurried on but manages to get his bat in front of his pace. The ball rolls onto the on side and they get a single.

Nails the yorker on off stump, Jitesh Sharma manages to get some bat on it as the ball goes off the inside edge toward backward square leg. A single is taken.

WIDE! Short and pushed well across the off stump, beyond the tramline in fact. Jitesh Sharma cannot reach it and a wide is called.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Full and outside off, shaping away, Jitesh Sharma goes inside-out over extra cover and caresses it perfectly for a boundary.

Full and around off, slinging away, Shahrukh Khan eases it through cover for one.

Shahrukh Khan is the new man in.

OUT! TIMBER! Matheesha Pathirana knocks over Sam Curran and there's another twist in the tale here. Full and quick at almost 145 clicks and gets it right in the blockhole. Curran looks to back away and drive but is beaten by the pace and the slingy action. Curran gets beaten all ends up as the ball crashes into the stumps. 31 needed now off 17 balls.

Slower and shorter around off, nudged away through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! BOOM! Flatter delivery around off, Sam Curran dances down the track and thumps it right back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Shorter around off, punched away off the back foot through the cover region for a couple of runs.

A tad shorter outside off, tapped away through extra cover for a single.

SIX! All the way! Flights it up around middle, Jitesh Sharma gets low and under the ball before whacking it a long way over the long on fence for a biggie.

Flatter around middle, Sam Curran backs away and pushes it out through covers for one.

Slower ball around off, Jitesh Sharma pushes at it and gets it off the outer half past backward point for a couple of runs.

Jitesh Sharma is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Tushar Deshpande has the last laugh here and the danger man Liam Livingstone departs. This is banged in even shorter and over the stumps. Livingstone advances and goes after the ball. He ends up getting it off the top edge over mid-wicket. Ruturaj Gaikwad runs in from the deep and puts in a big dive forward to take an excellent catch with both hands.

SIX! Liam Livingstone is on a roll here! Bangs it in a bit over middle and it sits up for the batter. Livingstone swings across the line and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for another biggie.

FOUR LEG BYES! Streaky! Fulish length outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to have a swipe across the line but misses. The ball goes off the pads and lobs up around short third man. The fielder there dives forward but misses and the ball goes away into the fence.

SIX! And again! Full and wide outside the off stump, Liam Livingstone reaches out and thumps it over the extra cover fence for another maximum.

SIX! BANG! This is full on middle but right in the slot. Liam Livingstone clears the front leg and smokes it a long way over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Strategic break! Chennai are well in control at the moment and the spinners have certainly done a fine job for them. Punjab have the English duo of Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran at the crease and are well set. Can they conjure up a miracle here?

Quicker one, following the batter, down leg, Sam Curran shuffles across to play at it but gets beaten.

Lands it on middle, Liam Livingstone looks to flick it but doesn't connect well. The ball rolls towards mid-wicket as the batters collect one.

Two Wides! Lands it down leg, Sam Curran misses his stroke. The keeper fails to collect it as the batters cross.

FOUR! Lands it on off, Sam Curran picks it well and drives it through covers as the ball finds the fence.

Lands it on off, some turn as well, Sam Curran goes for a wild swing but mistimes it completely. The ball goes up in the air and lands safely between mid on and mid off. They collect two.

Bowls it too full and down leg, Liam Livingstone looks to flick it but misses and gets a hit on his shin. A stifled appeal but turned down. Perhaps, missing leg.

Quicker one, outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to slap it but gets beaten.

A yorker, just outside off, Liam Livingstone digs it to point for one.

Touch short, on off, Sam Curran pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Banged in short and around off, Sam Curran advances and flat-bats it toward wide long off for a couple of runs.

A yorker, on middle, Liam Livingstone digs it to square leg for one.

Bowls it well outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to slap it but gets beaten.

Lands it outside off, Liam Livingstone looks to slog it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards backward square leg. They cross.

Full and on off, Liam Livingstone lofts it towards mid off for one.

Full and on middle, Sam Curran eases it to mid on for one.

Bowls it on middle and leg, Sam Curran turns it to deep mid-wicket for a brace. Good running between the wickets!

Touch short and outside off, Liam Livingstone guides it to point for one.

Slower one, on off, Sam Curran knocks it towards long off for one.

A low full toss, on off, Liam Livingstone flicks it to mid-wicket for one.

Excellent work in the deep. Full and on off, Sam Curran steers it through backward point. The fielder makes an excellent diving stop to his left near the ropes. Two taken!

Full and on off, Liam Livingstone pushes it to mid off for one.

FOUR! Errs his line and bowls it on leg, Liam Livingstone picks it well and pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

Good length, shaping away, Liam Livingstone looks to block it but gets beaten. This is wonderful bowling from Matheesha Pathirana!

Lands it on off, Sam Curran slaps it to point for one.

Bowls it full and outside off, Sam Curran looks to loft it but gets beaten.

On off stump, worked away in front of mid-wicket for a run.

Floated up around the legs, worked away toward mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Flatter on middle, Sam Curran rocks back and pushes it back to the bowler.

On middle and leg, blocked out by the batter.

Sam Curran is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Ravindra Jadeja with a comfortable return catch and he gets his second wicket of the game. This is dragged down a bit and angled across the off stump. Atharva Taide steps down the track and looks to flat-bat it back past the bowler but gets the timing all wrong. Ends up hitting it right back at the bowler who takes it around his chest. Punjab lose their third now.

Quicker one, angled well across the left-hander. Atharva Taide looks to hit it over extra cover but is beaten on the outside edge.

Bowls it on off, Atharva Taide pushes it to ming on for one.

Slower one, outside off, Liam Livingstone gently pulls it towards mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Up, up and over. Slightly shorter and outside off, Liam Livingstone moves forward and muscles it over long off for a biggie!

Lands it just outside off, Atharva Taide drives it to mid off for one.

Some extra bounce, on off, Liam Livingstone flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket for one.

On a length, angling in, Liam Livingstone blocks it back.

Lands it outside off, turning away, Atharva Taide slices it towards backward point for one.

Quicker one, on middle, Liam Livingstone flicks it to id-wicket for one.

Lands it on off, Liam Livingstone taps it to the man at mid off.

Strategic break! Well then, the game is evenly poised but with the set Prabhsimran Singh getting out, Chennai will feel they can put on the squeeze in the middle overs. With two new batters at the crease, Punjab will have to rebuild but the scoring rate is pretty good and it will all depend on how their batters fare against the spinners. A vital phase of play coming up. Also, Liam Livingstone comes out to bat now.

OUT! STUMPED! Ravindra Jadeja strikes! Full and outside off, turning away, Prabhsimran Singh shimmies down the wicket to loft it but misses it completely. The ball lands into the gloves of MS Dhoni who makes an easy stumping. Prabhsimran Singh walks out after a fine knock!

Full and on off, Atharva Taide sweeps it to square leg for one.

Lands it outside off, Atharva Taide looks to heave it but gets a hit on his body.

Good comeback from Moeen Ali. Full and on off, Atharva Taide pushes it to point for one.

Bowls it on off, Atharva Taide eases it back towards the bowler.

Full and on off, some turn as well, Prabhsimran Singh looks to flick it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards mid-wicket. They cross.

Quicker one, on middle, Prabhsimran Singh blocks it back.

SIX! That is huge! Full and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh moves forward and heaves it over cow corner for a biggie. This is excellent from Prabhsimran Singh.

Lands it on middle, Prabhsimran Singh nudges it to mid-wicket for a brace.

Flatter one, on middle, Prabhsimran Singh flicks it to square leg for one.

Lands it on middle, Atharva Taide knocks it to long on for one.

Full and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh works it to mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Excellent from Prabhsimran Singh. Errs his line and bowls it on leg, Prabhsimran Singh gets on his knee and switch hits over backward point for a boundary!

Lands it on middle, Atharva Taide knocks it to long on for one.

Flatter one, on middle, Atharva Taide blocks it to mid on.

A yorker, on middle, Prabhsimran Singh digs it back.

Lands it on off, Atharva Taide flicks it to square leg for one.

Some turn and bounce, Prabhsimran Singh looks to sweep it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs in the air and lands safely at short fine leg. They cross.

Quicker one, on off, Atharva Taide pushes it to mid on for one again.

Full again, Prabhsimran Singh drills it to mid on for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot. Full and outside off, Prabhsimran Singh hangs back and drives it through covers for a boundary. Excellent from Prabhsimran Singh!

Back of a length around off, Prabhsimran Singh hops back and punches it through point for a single.

On a hard length outside off, hit away hard and toward deep point for one.

Length ball around off and seaming away, Atharva Taide looks to drive and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Top effort in the field once again. A tad short and wide, Atharva Taide slaps it away over the point region. Matheesha Pathirana from deep backward point runs around and gets a hand on it. The ball almost trickles onto the ropes before another fielder comes to his aid and pulls it back in. Two taken.

Atharva Taide walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight into the bread basket! Short and outside off, Shikhar Dhawan tries to open the bat face late and slap it down to third man. The ball though takes the outside edge and goes straight to shirt third man. Matheesha Pathirana there holds onto it around his waist and Dhawan has to depart after a solid start.

FOUR! 50 up for Punjab in double-quick time. Good-length ball outside off stump, Shikhar Dhawan thumps it on the up and through extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Flighted up a bit around off, Prabhsimran Singh moves inside the crease before getting down on one knee and going for the sweep. The ball takes the top edge and goes over short fine leg for a boundary.

Around off stump, eased away in front of point for a quick single.

Excellent fielding! Slightly short and wide, cut away off the back foot in front of point. Ruturaj Gaikwad from inside the ring chases it down and just about pulls it back in. Two runs are taken.

Beaten! Quicker one, around off, Shikhar Dhawan looks to cut it late but is beaten on the outside. There is a slight appeal for caught behind by MS Dhoni but it is turned down.

Pushed through quicker on the pads, Prabhsimran Singh stays back and works it behind square leg for a run.

FOUR! Easily done! Tossed up, full and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh lifts it right back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Some spin as Maheesh Theekshana comes into the attack now.

FOUR! Just inside the ropes! A full toss now, angled into middle, Shikhar Dhawan picks it up and lofts it toward deep square leg. The ball just bounces inside the ropes and Dhawan collects four runs.

Length ball, following the batter down leg, Shikhar Dhawan tucks it away behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

SIX! Picked up and dispatched! Length ball, angled down the leg side, Shikhar Dhawan goes past the leg stump and whips it high and handsome over the backward square leg fence for a maximum.

WIDE! This is banged in short, a bit too short though and a wide is called.

Back of a length outside off, Shikhar Dhawan flat-bats it hard toward wide mid off but fails to pierce the gap.

A bit shorter and angled into the body, Shikhar Dhawan looks to back away and pull but misses. The ball hits the body and rolls toward square leg.

Short and wide, Prabhsimran Singh stays put and slaps it away to deep point for a single.

Full and wide, well outside the off stump. Shikhar Dhawan pre-meditates and shuffles a long way across trying to reverse-scoop it but misses.

Leg bye! Prabhsimran Singh backs away past the leg stump and Tushar Deshpande follows him with a length ball. Singh fails to get it away as the ball deflects onto the off side after hitting the pads. They get a leg bye.

Shortens the length a bit and bowls it around off, Prabhsimran Singh gives the charge and looks to smash it away, only to miss it.

SIX! Stylishly played! Length ball, angling in on the pads, Prabhsimran Singh stands tall and whips it away over the square leg fence for a biggie.

Swing and a miss! Good length over off stump, nipping away a touch. Prabhsimran Singh with a big swat across the line but is well beaten.

Good fielding! Short and wide outside off, Prabhsimran Singh goes hard at it and ends up slicing it fine of the man at third man. The fielder there runs around and manages to get his body behind it. The batters get a couple of runs.

Tushar Deshpande to share the attack.

Full and outside off, driven down to wide long off for one more. A good start for Punjab, 11 off the first over.

Back of a length over off stump, Shikhar Dhawan walks toward the ball and pushes at it. The ball comes off the inside edge and goes toward short leg as the batters scamper across for a single.

Shikhar Dhawan looks to give the charge once again but Akash Singh angles in a length ball at the stumps. Dhawan pushes it out toward cover.

FOUR! A bit streaky but will do. Good length outside off, Shikhar Dhawan waits for it and just looks to steer it away. The ball takes the outer half and flies fine of the man at short third man for another boundary.

FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan is off the mark in style! Length again outside off and swinging away, Dhawan advances and thumps it through extra cover for a boundary.

Off the mark right away! Length ball, swinging into the pads. Prabhsimran Singh tucks it away past square leg and picks up a single.

SIX! BANG! MS Dhoni with a trademark finish and the crowd goes wild. Sam Curran looks for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss on the legs. Dhoni clears the front leg and whacks it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Chennai finish with a bog score of 200/4 on the board!

SIX! Up and over! This is banged in short and well outside the off stump. MS Dhoni reaches out and somehow manages to slap it over the backward point fence for a maximum.

Close but the benefit of the doubt has to be given to the batter. Sam Curran rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it into the pitch. Devon Conway pulls it without much timing and hits it flat over mid-wicket. Liam Livingstone comes racing in from deep mid-wicket and slides in to take the catch or it seems so. Livingstone isn't sure and the umpires go upstairs to check. This one seems very close and the third umpire checks a lot of replays before concluding that there is no substantial evidence of the fingers being under the ball. Not Out comes up on the screen and it will be a single.

WIDE! Takes pace off and tries to push it outside off but ends up spilling it well beyond the tramline.

Full and on leg stump, MS Dhoni gets the front leg out of the way and heaves it down to long on for a single.

Swing and a miss! Slightly shorter and over the stumps, MS Dhoni walks right across the stumps and looks to pull it toward fine leg but misses.

A huge roar from the Chennai crowd as MS Dhoni walks in to bat now!

OUT! CAUGHT! Punjab closing things off well here. Sam Curran comes from over the wicket and looks for the yorker on middle but ends up serving a low full toss. Ravindra Jadeja hangs deep and tries to get under it but only manages to get it off the toe end. The ball goes high up in the air and toward deep mid-wicket where Liam Livingstone takes a simple catch.

FOUR! Throws his hands at this one and gets the boundary. Back of a length outside off, Devon Conway frees his arms and flat-bats it to the right of long on for a boundary.

Excellent bowling! Really slow and angled well across the left-hander. Devon Conway tries to hang back and play it late and fine toward third man but misses.

Slower again but bowled into the pitch and over middle, Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away to deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Another off-paced delivery, full and around off, Devon Conway hits it down to long on for just one more.

Slower again and pushed outside the off stump, Ravindra Jadeja comes forward and reaches out to hit it toward deep point for a run.

Takes pace off and bowls it full on off stump. Devon Conway looks for the big slog across the line but gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball rolls toward backward square leg as the batters take a run.

Slower one, on a good length and around off. Devon Conway shapes up to shuffle across and attempt the scoop but adjusts well and just dabs it toward short third man for a quick single.

Keeps bowling it full and angles it into pads this time. Ravindra Jadeja steps out and drives it down to long on for a single.

Very full again, a low full toss around off stump, Ravindra Jadeja heaves it away in between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

Good change of pace! Slower one, bowled back of a length and around off. Ravindra Jadeja looks to back away and tap it away behind point but gets an under edge back to the keeper.

Two more! Full and straight from Arshdeep Singh. Ravindra Jadeja punches it on the up and down to the right of long on before scampering back quickly for the second run.

Very full and on off stump, Ravindra Jadeja leans on and works it away well in front of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Devon Conway! Another one that is dragged down around leg, Conway sits down and pulls it away into the backward square leg fence.

FOUR! Full and on middle and leg, Devon Conway gets down on one knee and sweeps it hard and along the turf through backward square leg for a boundary.

Tries to be a bit too cheeky here. A drag down from Rahul Chahar over middle stump, Devon Conway shuffles right across the stumps and tries to just paddle it past the keeper but ends up missing it.

Around the pads, tucked away 'round the corner for a single.

Excellent running! Wrong'un, shorter and around off. Ravindra Jadeja stays back and nudges it away well in front of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja walks in.

OUT! STUMPED! Lightning-fast hands from Jitesh Sharma behind the sticks. Moeen Ali pre-meditates and gives the charge. Rahul Chahar sees him coming and pulls the length back a bit, bowling it on leg stump. Ali gets beaten in the flight but still goes through with the heave. The ball turns in and beats the bat before Jitesh whips off the bails. Chahar gets his first wicket of the game.

Slower one, bowled into the pitch and pushed wider of the off stump. Devon Conway waits on the back foot and slaps it wide of the man at deep point who does cut it off and saves a couple of runs for his side.

Full and angled into the pads, Devon Conway flicks it straight to square leg.

WIDE! A slower bumper now outside off, a bit too high though for the umpire's liking.

FOUR! Good effort in the field but in vain. Full and wide, Devon Conway shows great skills to open the bat face late and play it on the full. The ball travels quickly to the right of Kagiso Rabada at short third who dives and gets a hand on it but the ball still trickles into the fence.

Another slower one, banged into the deck and outside off. Moeen Ali lofts this one without much timing and over cover-point for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! A slower ball from over the stumps, full and outside off. Moeen Ali opens up the off side and hits it over extra cover for a boundary. The 150 is up now for Chennai.

Very full and wide, Moeen Ali reaches out and opens the face of the bat to slash it away but finds the man at backward point. Unlucky!

FOUR! Cut away! Full and outside off, Devon Conway reads it well and cuts it through backward point as the ball finds the fence.

Lands it on middle, Moeen Ali pushes it towards mid off for a single.

FOUR! Easy as you like. Full and on off, Moeen Ali picks it well and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary!

Slower one on middle and leg, Devon Conway nudges it towards square leg for one.

Quicker one, on off, Devon Conway pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Full and on off, slower too. Devon Conway hangs back and lofts it over extra covers for a one-bounce boundary. Superb shot!

Moeen Ali walks in at number 4. Also, Liam Livingstone comes into the attack now.

OUT! TAKEN! Arshdeep Singh gets the danger man. Full and on off, slower too. Shivam Dube looks to loft it but gets the toe end of his bat. It goes up in the air towards long on. Shahrukh Khan settles near the ropes and takes a fine catch. Shivam Dube's quick-fire cameo comes to an end!

Lands it well outside off, Devon Conway steers it to backward point for one.

Bowls it on off, Shivam Dube pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and on off, slower too, Devon Conway looks to loft it but mistimes it completely. The ball goes high up in the air towards mid off. Sam Curran runs to take it from long off but just couldn't reach it. Lucky for Devon Conway!

A low full toss, on off, Shivam Dube drills it to long off for one.

Wide! Bowls it wide outside off, Shivam Dube leaves it alone.

FOUR! Excellent from Dube. Full and on middle, Shivam Dube picks it well and drills it through long on for a boundary. Pressure on Arshdeep Singh now!

Strategic Break! This has been a fantastic first 13 overs for Chennai as they seem to be on the course of getting a score of around 190-200 which, in a day game, could be huge. Devon Conway is simply in a purple patch at the moment and has brought up his 5th half-century of the season already. Conway and Shivam Dube are set and the only way Punjab can stop them is by picking wickets and boy, they desperately need wickets here. Can Punjab pull things back? Or will Chennai pile on the misery? Let's find out... Also, Arshdeep Singh (2-0-20-0) is back on.

FOUR! Cheeky from Devon Conway. Touch full and on middle, Devon Conway shuffles across and scoops it through fine leg for a boundary.

Bowls it on off, Shivam Dube loons to heave it but doesn't connect well. It carries and lands safely at deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Wide! Too short, on off, Shivam Dube let's it go.

Slower and outside off, shorter in length, Shivam Dube gets in two minds but gets it go in the end.

Another one on middle, Devon Conway flicks it to square leg for one again.

Bowls it on middle, Shivam Dube tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Bang! That is huge. Slightly shorter and on off, Shivam Dube picks it well and launches it over deep mid-wicket as the ball sails into the stands for a maximum.

Full and on off, Devon Conway blocks it back towards the bowler.

Bowls it on off, Shivam Dube looks for a wild swing but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket. They cross.

Lands it on off, Devon Conway flicks it to square leg for a quick single.

FOUR! Fifty up for Devon Conway. Full and on off, Devon Conway picks it well and reverse sweeps it through backward point for a boundary. What a player!

Quicker one, onto the pads, Shivam Dube tucks it to square leg for one.

SIX! Up, up and over. Touch short and on off, slower too. Shivam Dube hangs back and heaves it over cow corner for a maximum!

Short and on middle, Shivam Dube pulls it to deep square leg for one.

On a length, shaping in, Devon Conway looks to play at it but edges it towards point for one.

Good-length and on off, Shivam Dube tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Just short! Lands it outside off, Shivam Dube cuts it towards backward point. The ball carried for a bit and landed just short of the diving fielder. Close!

Bowls it just outside off, Shivam Dube eases it to the man at covers.

On a length and some extra bounce, Devon Conway flicks it to square leg for a single.

Excellent work in the deep! Full again, on middle and leg, Shivam Dube looks to free his arms and hammers this one straight down the ground but there's not much timing on it/. Kagiso Rabada runs to his right from long on and dives in to cut it off, keeping it down to a couple of runs.

Misfield! This is floated up full and on middle, Shivam Dube strokes it straight to extra cover where Rahul Chahar lets it through his hands and the batters pick up a couple of free runs.

Shivam Dube is the next batter.

OUT! STUMPED! Runs past the ball does Ruturaj Gaikwad and Punjab finally have the breakthrough. Gaikwad pre-meditates as he tries to come down the pitch. Sikandar Raza sees him coming and gives this one a bit more air, flighting it wide outside the off stump. The ball also goes away from the batter who is beaten in the flight and walks past the ball as he looks to drive. Jitesh Sharma whips off the bails and Gaikwad doesn't even attempt to get back.

Angled onto the pads, tucked away leg side for a single.

FOUR! Two in two for Devon Conway! Full and quick, angled into leg stump. Conway manages to clear the front leg and thumps it straight down the ground for four runs.

FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Another round-arm delivery, turns out to be a real drag down around leg stump. Devon Conway pulls it past the man at short fine leg for a boundary.

Good running! Pushed around off and turning away, Ruturaj Gaikwad strokes it away toward sweeper cover and races back for the second run.

Nagging length on middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to tuck it off the back foot but fails to get it away.

Drops it a bit short and bowls it outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it in front of cover and Devon Conway looks for one but hurries back to the non-striker's end.

Flatter one on the stumps, this is worked away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Excellent use of the feet from Devon Conway. Tossed up around middle, Conway shimmies down the track and lifts it right back over the bowler's head for a maximum.

A leg-break, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad comes forward and pushes it with the turn toward cover for a run.

Beaten again! Sikandar Raza bowls this round-arm and fires it in full and wide of the off stump. Devon Conway tries to reach out and get some bat on it but fails to do so.

Quicker one at over 109 clicks and outside off, this is cut away straight to point.

Beaten! Quicker and flatter around off, Devon Conway looks to stay back and guide it toward third man but is well beaten.

FOUR! Sublime from Devon Conway. Comes from around the wicket to the left-hander and tries to angle in a quicker one from outside off. Conway advances and drives it crisply wide of extra cover for a lovely boundary.

A bit quicker on middle, this is pushed away through mid-wicket for a single.

Starts off with a fullish delivery at the stumps, Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes it back to the bowler.

Sikandar Raza comes into the attack.

Closes out the over well and only five singles off it. Flatter around middle, punched away off the back foot by Ruturaj Gaikwad toward deep cover for one.

Fires this one in a lot quicker and around leg stump. Devon Conway sets up for the sweep but mistimes it toward backward square leg for a single.

Slower and shorter outside off, Devon Conway backs away and taps it toward point.

A tad bit short and around the pads, this is worked away into the gap at mid-wicket for one more.

Tossed up a bit, on a nagging length and on off, Devon Conway heaves it toward deep mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Floated up on middle and leg, turning it away. Ruturaj Gaikwad hops back and nudges it toward wide mid on for a quick single.

Strategic Break! Chennai are off to a flier and both the openers are looking confident to make their side reach to a mammoth total. Punjab are struggling to find their lengths right and will look to break this partnership soon. Let's see how the remaining contest pans out.

Just a single to end but 16 runs come off it and Chennai are 57/0 at the end of the Powerplay! Slower again around the hips, tucked away to mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Down the wrong line and Sam Curran is being taken apart here. Slower one, banged in a bit but down leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad helps it on its way to fine leg for four more runs.

WIDE! An attempted slower ball, spilled well down the leg side and Ruturaj Gaikwad is happy to leave it alone.

Banged into the deck this time and over middle, Devon Conway gets on top of the bounce and plays a controlled hook shot down to deep backward square leg for one.

FOUR! Just over! Length ball around off, Devon Conway looks for the big heave across the line but mistimes it badly. The ball just clears the man at mid on and once it hits the turf, the ball races away to the fence. 50 up now for Chennai.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes! A touch fuller and outside off, Devon Conway picks up the length early and whacks it over mid on for a boundary.

Full and on the legs, Ruturaj Gaikwad clips it away firmly toward deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Drags his length back a bit, Ruturaj Gaikwad punches it to covers for a quick single.

SIX! That's huge! Full and on off, slower too. Ruturaj Gaikwad shimmies down the wicket and lofts it over long on as the ball sails into the stands. 96 METRES!

Full and on middle, Devon Conway tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Flatter one, on off, Devon Conway plays a reverse-sweep towards covers but finds the fielder. Dot.

Lands it on middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it to covers for a single.

Full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad digs it to covers.

Spin for the first time as Rahul Chahar comes on to bowl.

Too full and on off, Devon Conway digs it back towards the bowler who just manages to get his hand on it as the ball slowly reaches towards the stumps at the bowler's end. Ruturaj Gaikwad fumbles a bit and makes a dive it he was well safe.

On a length and some extra bounce, pace off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad cuts it to the man ta point.

Good-length, outside off, Devon Conway steers it towards backward point for a single.

Too full and outside off, Devon Conway knocks it but finds the fielder at mid off.

Bowls it on leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it to square leg for a single.

Sam Curran comes into the attack now.

FOUR! Slightly shorter and on middle and leg, Devon Conway reads it well and pulls it through backward square leg as the ball races away from the fence.

Full and on middle, Devon Conway blocks it to the mid on fielder.

Lands it outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad cuts it to backward point. An overthrow and a misfield allows the batters to steal a single!

FOUR! Excellent timing here. Full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad picks it well and caresses it through extra covers for a boundary. This is batting at its best!

Too full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad digs it to the an at short covers.

FOUR! These two have made a statement here. On a length and outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad hangs back and cuts it through backward point as the ball finds the fence.

Lands it outside off again, Devon Conway looks to play at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Ends with a dot ball.

FOUR MORE! Touch fuller one, outside off, Devon Conway shimmies down the wicket and slaps it through covers for four more.

FOUR! Perfect timing. Full and outside off, Devon Conway picks it well and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary.

Bowls a slower one, on off, Devon Conway looks to drive it but miscues it to short mid-wicket. Dot again.

Full and outside off, it keeps a tad low, Devon Conway drives it but finds the man at covers.

Bowls it down leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to flick it but misses as the ball brushes his pads and rolls towards short fine leg. They cross for a leg bye.

Kagiso Rabada to steam in from the opposite end.

Touch fuller and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad knocks it to mid off and scampers through for a quick single.

Bowls it on a length and on off, pace off as well. Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it to the point fielder.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, just outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad let's it go.

Lands it on a length, keeps it well outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad leaves it alone. Ruturaj Gaikwad goes upstairs to have a wide ball check. The replay convinces the third umpire that it was a fair delivery and the onfield decision stands.

Bowls it on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad guides it to the man at short third man. Dot.

FOUR! Ruturaj Gaikwad is away. Absolute perfection. Touch fuller and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets low and caresses it through covers as the ball finds the fence.

Good-length, shaping in, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to block it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball bounces off the deck.

Wide! Starts with a length ball wide outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad offers no stroke. Arshdeep Singh starts with a wide.

We are ready for the start of the play! The two umpires make their way out to the middle as the players of Punjab take their positions on the field. As usual, it will be the pair of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad to open the innings for Chennai. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

PITCH REPORT -  Aaron Finch is pitchside. He says it is a dry wicket and there is very little grass. The ball will start to turn later on so the batters at the start will have to get as many runs in the Powerplay. The new ball is going to skid through and there will be a little bounce as well. He says that 180 will be a good total for the team batting first.

Shikhar Dhawan the skipper of Punjab says that would have loved to bat as well. Adds that it is a dry wicket and that is the reason they would have batted. He says that they will look to give their best and ends by mentioning the change of Harpreet Brar coming in.

MS Dhoni the skipper of Chennai says that they will bat first and adds that it looks like a decent wicket and in a day game, it is crucial to give the pacers a bit of a rest in the afternoon. Mentions that it's important to be intelligent and it isn't sensible to get exposed to the sun too long. Adds that it is a long tournament and some games won't go your way but it is important to take learnings from those games. Lastly informs that they have the same team as the last game.

Impact players for Punjab - Prabhsimran Singh, Matthew Short, Rishi Dhawan, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh.

Punjab (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan (C), Atharva Taide, Liam Livingstone, Sikandar Raza, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar (In for Gurnoor Brar), Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact players for Chennai - Akash Singh, Dwaine Pretorius, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Chennai (Unchanged Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C)(WK), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.

TOSS - Chennai have won the toss and will BAT first.

On the other hand, Chennai has started its season well under the leadership of the legendary MS Dhoni, winning five out of eight matches with just three defeats. The team has plenty of depth in their batting, with both the openers in scintillating form. The bowling unit has also shown improvement, with Tushar Deshpande being their standout performer. They have some big names in their all-rounders' department as well and the side will hope some magic from them too. The stakes are high as this game promises to be a cracker. Toss and team news to follow shortly...

Punjab's campaign so far has been a mixed bag, with four wins and four losses in their eight games played. In their batting order, the young Atharva Taide has shown glimpses of his potential while on the bowling front, Kagiso Rabada has made his return and the Punjab side will be expecting some magic from him. The rest of the side has been in good form and the side will hope to win this one and claw their way up in the points table.

Hello and a warm welcome folks! The Indian T20 league is in full swing as we have reached to the mid-way of the season. Match number 41 will see Chennai facing Punjab at the MA Chidambaram Stadium which is also the 999th game in the history of the tournament. It is set up to be a fascinating encounter as Chennai look to keep their place high up the table whereas Punjab will try to make a push for a playoff spot with 2 crucial points here.

... MATCH DAY ...

The fixtures only get tougher from hereon as they have a lot riding on them, and we are into the second half of the Indian T20 League 2023. It is now time for match number 41 where Chennai will be locking horns against Punjab, and that too, in front of the Yellow Army. We all know how solid Chennai are when they are playing on home turf, as they certainly turn their home ground into a fortress, and would be hoping that it helps them to get the winning momentum back in the dressing room. Dhoni and his men suffered a defeat in their previous encounter against Rajasthan. It is only their third loss of the campaign and Chennai would be aiming to get back to winning ways as soon as possible, as things in the points table are pretty tight. Chennai have an extraordinary batting unit, and with Ajinkya Rahane unlocking an aggressive style in his batting, it has turned into a solid unit, which was looking fragile for a moment when Ben Stokes got injured. Also, their bowling has been impressive even with the lack of experience in their bowling department. Punjab, on the other hand, faced a heart-crushing defeat against Lucknow. To be honest, their bowlers were taken to the cleaners from the get-go, as Lucknow posted a mammoth total of 257 runs, which in the end proved to be a bit too much for them. Nonetheless, Punjab tried their best during the chase and got to a respectable total of 200. Only if their hard hitters could've hit a few lusty blows early on and found some rhythm, Punjab could've ended up near the target, at least. Undoubtedly, this Punjab side is filled with quality players, and if they are to win away from home, there is no better place than doing it in Chennai. A victory here would certainly help them to turn a corner around in their campaign. So far, they have only been able to record consecutive wins only once this season. Punjab do need to get back to winning ways as early as possible and try to ride the wave of momentum. No matter what happens, it surely promises to be a cracker of an event. Will Chennai continue their domination at home? Or will Punjab find a win against all odds? We shall find out together.