IPL 2022: CSK suffer third successive defeat as Punjab Kings beat Chennai by 54 runs

Chennai Super Kings' horror continued on Sunday as the defending champions slumped to their third successive defeat after Liam Livingstone all-round show helped Punjab Kings seal a 54-run win in IPL 2022 in Mumbai.

Chasing 181 for victory, CSK were behind the asking rate from the word go as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa failed to provide a good start for the yellow brigade. The Ravindra Jadeja-led side got off to a disastrous start by losing four wickets in the powerplay against Punjab Kings. Rayudu also departed after scoring 13, leaving Chennai tottering at 38 for five after eight overs.

Defending Champions CSK have now lost the first three games in IPL 2022. They went down to Kolkata Knight Riders in the season opener on Saturday, failed to defend 210 against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday and now they suffered a batting collapse to lose against Punjab Kings. This is the first time CSK have lost their first three matches in an IPL season.

Chennai conceded only 71 runs in the last 10 overs, thanks to their troika of



overseas pacers -- Dwaine Pretorius (2/30), Dwayne Bravo (1/32) and Chris Jordan (2/23), who used variations to good effect, restricting the Punjab batters. Pretorius and Jordan kept deliveries wide and full outside the off-stump and at the base of the bat, not allowing them anything in the arc.

Livingstone, one of the most destructive T20 batters in the global leagues, lived up to his big price tag as he smashed five fours and an equal number of sixes, sending the CSK bowlers on a leather-hunt during the initial overs. The England all-rounder put on an entertaining show with the bat as he also hit a few 100 meter plus sixes off length balls. Even the thick edges went for six with CSK bowlers looking clueless till he was there at the crease.

Livingstone and Shikhar Dhawan (33 off 24 balls) added 95 for the third wicket in just 8.4 overs and it seemed that another 200 plus total was on the cards. By the time Dhawan was fooled by a Bravo slower, Punjab had laid the platform, scoring 109 in the first 10 overs, which sadly the latter batters couldn't capitalise on.