KINGS BOSS SUPER KINGS

Dhawan's 88*, Arshdeep's Miserly Spell Help Punjab To 11-Run Win

- Tridib Baparnash

Maybe because of the 'used pitch' at the Wankhede Stadium, Punjab Kings went in with a more calculated batting approach led by the dependable Shikhar Dhawan, whose ninth half-century against Chennai Super Kings helped his side romp home by 11 runs, overcoming Ambati Rayudu's single-handed effort.

Tottering at 40/3, Chennai needed the experience of Rayudu, whose 78 off 39 balls, comprising seven fours and six massive sixes, seemed to get the chase of 188 back on track. But it was the disciplined effort of the Punjab bowlers, especially Kagiso Rabada and comeback man Rishi Dhawan, that pulled the red and gold brigade back into the match.

Rayudu's arrival with a slight limp raised Chennai's hopes of a turnaround. With the asking rate mounting to an excess of 11 an over, Rayudu's clean hits infused life back into the Wankhede crowd that was more or less a sea of yellow. The right-hander looked in ominous touch, taking Rishi to the cleaners for a four and a six before dispatching Liam Livingstone over the midwicket fence for his second six.