IPL 202: Twitter Reacts As Chennai Super Kings Defeat Punjab Kings To Pick Up Their Maiden Win Of The Tournament

A masterclass in seam and swing bowling by Deepak Chahar (4/13 in four overs) and an outstanding knock by Moeen Ali (31-ball 46) has helped Chennai Super Kings pick up their 7th win in their last ten encounters against Punjab Kings and notch up their maiden points in IPL 2021.

Chasing 107 to win, Chennai Super Kings got off to a sedate start as the duo of Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled against the pace-bowling duo of Mohammed Shami and Jhye Richardson.

With just 8 runs coming off the first three overs, Faf du Plessis finally broke the shackles as he smashed Richardson for a four and a six.

But Ruturaj Gaikwad (5 off 16 balls) continued to struggle for his timing and he eventually perished in trying to break the shackles by holing out at deep midwicket against Arshdeep Singh.

Moeen Ali came out all guns blazing as he creamed Riley Meridith with an imperious cover-drive before square-cutting the pacer for another four as Chennai Super Kings completed the powerplay at 1/32.

Ali continued with his brilliant strokeplay as he pulled Arshdeep Singh over short-midwicket for another boundary. Ali looked in breathtaking touch and the boundaries continued to galore for the off-spin all-rounder as he lofted Meredith towards the extra-cover region for another four to bring up CSK’s 50 in the 9th over.

It looked as if Moeen Ali was batting on a completely different wicket to someone else. Cut, pull, cover drives, square drives? His 31-ball 46 had it all and by the time he holed out at deep midwicket, he had put Chennai Super Kings on the brink of a commanding win.

Punjab Kings’ pacers Riley Meredith and Mohammed Shami troubled Suresh Raina with short-pitch stuff before the latter eventually bounced him out. Ambati Rayudu tried to go for the glory shot on the first ball he faced but ended miscuing it to register a golden duck.

Riley Meredith had an ordinary first game but the young Australian impressed everyone in his second outing as he hurried the CSK batsmen with hard lengths, especially Raina. But, eventually, he didn’t have enough runs to work with and the game eventually ended with Sam Curran pulling him for a boundary.

Chennai Super Kings reduced Punjab Kings to 6/108 thanks to Deepak Chahar’s 4/13

Having opted to bowl first, Chennai Super Kings couldn’t have hoped for a better start like the one they got thanks to Deepak Chahar.

Chahar bowled the most perfect outswinger ever- one that pitched on middle and leg before straightening to hit the top of off-stump leaving Mayank Agarwal absolutely bamboozled.

He could have got Chris Gayle in the same over when he lulled the southpaw into an ill-fated drive on an away angler, only to see Ruturaj Gaikwad drop a sitter at point.

Punjab Kings, however, coped a body blow in Chahar’s next over thanks to a brilliant direct hit by Ravindra Jadeja that spelled the end of KL Rahul.

MS Dhoni decided to keep Chahar in the attack and the move proved to be a masterstroke as the swing bowler removed Gayle with an away angler thanks to a brilliant diving catch by Jadeja.

Chahar then bounced out Nicholas Pooran in the same over before he induced an ill-fated drive from Deepak Hooda in his final over, leaving Punjab Kings in disarray at 5/26.

Chahar bowled a wicket-maiden in his final over to round off his career-best figures which read- 4/13 in four overs.

Shahrukh Khan and Jhye Richardson weathered the storm for a while before the latter got knocked over by Moeen Ali after he tried to hit a straight ball across the line.

Amid all the mayhem, Shahrukh Khan proved to be the lone shining light for Punjab Kings. The young Tamil Nadu swashbuckler played some cracking strokes on both sides of the wicket even as Dwayne Bravo unleashed his own version of ‘Vaathi Coming’ Shoulder Drop step as he sent another PBKS batsmen (Murugan Ashwin) packing.

But with wickets falling regularly at the other end and overs running out, he eventually perished for the cause for a 36-ball 47 as Chennai Super Kings eventually restricted Punjab Kings to an underwhelming 6/108 in 20 overs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

MATCH DAY ?! #<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S<!---->v<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K #<!---->W<!---->h<!---->i<!---->s<!---->t<!---->l<!---->e<!---->P<!---->o<!---->d<!---->u #<!---->Y<!---->e<!---->l<!---->l<!---->o<!---->v<!---->e ? ? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->2<!---->n<!---->e<!---->t<!---->y<!---->J<!---->I<!---->0<!---->f<!---->p

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Dominating win by @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L bowlers made it easier for the batsmen of csk. Swing was the king again. #<!---->d<!---->e<!---->e<!---->p<!---->a<!---->k<!---->c<!---->h<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Comprehensive victory for @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L Congratulations on the first victory of this season. @<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Moeen Ali rocking at No.3 in successive matches now. Pleasant surprise ? He has already won over all #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K fans with his allround performance

Comfortable win for #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K, by 6 wkts with a few late hiccups, and 26 balls to spare#<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

MS Dhoni used Moeen Ali and Sam Curran better than England Cricket team.

— Abhi. (@Abhicricket18) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Moeen Ali gives the vintage CSK vibes.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Moeen Ali's commitment to save that boundary deserves just as much appreciation Jadeja's run out gets. Too much #<!---->y<!---->e<!---->l<!---->l<!---->o<!---->v<!---->e bleeding tonight on the field.

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Moeen Ali looks so liberated vs spin. Just pure unadulterated hitting this.

— Tracer Bullet (@ravimaestri) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->0<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/FarziCricketer/status/1383090387376476163?s=19

Uthappa ahead of Ruturaj for me even if he scores 3 more consecutive fifties on a row

It has nothing to do from today's performance though

— Vikram Chandrasekaran (@Vikram7723) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Outstanding from #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K. It looks like we might only have one unbeaten team in the #<!---->V<!---->I<!---->V<!---->O<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L after today #<!---->R<!---->C<!---->B

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Swing .. yes .. difficult … late swing ..unplayable #<!---->d<!---->e<!---->e<!---->p<!---->a<!---->k<!---->c<!---->h<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Preity Zinta relying on Shahrukh Khan for big hits today. Not the first time she is doing it.

— Vishcomical (@vishcomical) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Shahrukh Khan saved Preity Zinta in Veer Zaara.

Shahrukh Khan saving Preity Zinta’s team in IPL.

History repeats itself.

— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Serious spell from @<!---->d<!---->e<!---->e<!---->p<!---->a<!---->k<!---->_<!---->c<!---->h<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r<!---->9 Great start @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L #<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S<!---->v<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K

— Jason Behrendorff (@JDorff5) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Dhoni celebrating his 200th game for @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L. What an association. #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K and its #<!---->T<!---->h<!---->a<!---->l<!---->a

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Game and match @<!---->d<!---->e<!---->e<!---->p<!---->a<!---->k<!---->_<!---->c<!---->h<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->r<!---->9 very rarely do you see a spell which impacts outcome like this. @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Deepak Chahar take a bow! ????????????#<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Sensational bowling by Deepak Chahar. Swing, knuckle ball, bouncer the full range to get 3 wickets! ??????#<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

This is the first time since 2017 that Punjab Kings have lost four wickets or more within the first six overs of the innings. #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Of all the players that play the game at the moment … many are incredible … but my favourite overseas player is @<!---->i<!---->m<!---->j<!---->a<!---->d<!---->e<!---->j<!---->a … @<!---->B<!---->C<!---->C<!---->I & @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L should build teams around him … #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Wonder why Deepak Chahar had fallen out of favour for Team India in the T20s…..in the squad but not in the playing XI. World record holder….achieved that not too long ago. #<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S<!---->v<!---->s<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

It’s incredible how #<!---->M<!---->S<!---->D doesn’t get swayed by ANYTHING. Deepak Chahar was on a victory lap there ?. #<!---->M<!---->S<!---->D<!---->h<!---->o<!---->n<!---->i was like let’s get the over sorted shall we! #<!---->c<!---->s<!---->k #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— RK (@RK_sports) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

As things stand now, #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K balle balle, @<!---->P<!---->u<!---->n<!---->j<!---->a<!---->b<!---->K<!---->i<!---->n<!---->g<!---->s<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L thalle thalle

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Smart bowling by Deepak chahar. Surprise Bouncer is always a good option from swing bowler,as batsman always thinking to play on front foot to negate the swing. #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Wow. Deepak chahar! Outstanding.#<!---->c<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t<!---->c<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->a<!---->k<!---->y<!---->a<!---->n #<!---->i<!---->f<!---->y<!---->o<!---->u<!---->k<!---->n<!---->o<!---->w<!---->y<!---->o<!---->u<!---->k<!---->n<!---->o<!---->w #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

You have Chris Gayle in the middle. You don't need to run quick risky singles.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Most batsmen dismissed for ducks by a bowler since IPL 2017 (since Chahar’s debut)

14 – Deepak Chahar
10 – Umesh Yadav
9 – Trent Boult
8 – Jasprit Bumrah #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1 #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Excellent first over by Deepak Chahar. Could have picked two #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Since the start of 2016, Deepak Chahar has taken 60 wickets in the first six overs of the innings. No seamer in T20 cricket has taken more wickets than him in this phase. #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Dhoni literally turned into Eminem when asked about his bowlers' mistakes. Sab ready rakhta hain. ? #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

MS Dhoni today will be appearing in his 200th game for CSK.
– in IPL 176*
– in CL 24
This will be his 199th match for #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K as captain!#<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->P<!---->K #<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K<!---->v<!---->s<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S#<!---->P<!---->K<!---->v<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K #<!---->P<!---->B<!---->K<!---->S<!---->v<!---->C<!---->S<!---->K#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1#<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Best of luck tonight MS for your 200th match for @<!---->C<!---->h<!---->e<!---->n<!---->n<!---->a<!---->i<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L . You are the heartbeat of the team and one of the greatest leaders in the game. ? p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->b<!---->N<!---->F<!---->d<!---->V<!---->s<!---->R<!---->Q<!---->0<!---->G

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->1<!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1