Tough going again for CSK at Brabourne

Liam Livingstone celebrates his 50 against CSK. Pic/BCCI; IPL

Opener Shikhar Dhawan (24-ball 33) and No.4 Liam Livingstone (32-ball 60) gave Punjab Kings a solid platform, but their lower order failed to capitalise on it and they finished on 180-8 after 20 overs against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.

At the time of going to press, CSK were 41-5 in nine overs with Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni batting on 11 and two respectively. After winning the toss and putting Punjab in, it was a dream start for the defending champions, who had lost both their previous matches in IPL-15. CSK's left-arm pacer from Maharashtra Mukesh Choudhary (1-52) sent back Punjab skipper and opener Mayank Agarwal (4) on the second ball of the game. Then, a misunderstanding between Bhanuka Rajapaksa (9) and non-striker Dhawan cost Punjab their second wicket. Pacer Chris Jordan's (2-23) throw in his followthrough missed the stumps, but veteran wicketkeeper Dhoni's quick response ensured the Sri Lankan batsman was short of his crease. Punjab were struggling at 14-2 inside two overs. However, England batsman Livingstone, was in no mood to succumb to pressure. His dominating knock (5x4, 5x6) included pure cricketing shots. Punjab got to their first 50-run mark in just 4.5 overs with Livingston scoring 32 of those, while Dhawan contributed just three.

After their loss to the Lucknow Super Giants in the last game at this very venue, Chennai head coach Stephen Fleming had said that the heavy dew had cost them the game. But on Sunday, even while bowling first, the Chennai bowlers were struggling to grip the ball, particularly while bowling to Livingston. He dominated the Chennai bowlers as Punjab scored 72-2 in the Powerplay.

Brief scores
PBKS 180-8 (L Livingstone 60, S Dhawan 33; C Jordan 2-23) v CSK (scores incomplete)