As it happened | IPL 2019, Match 55: Punjab defeat Chennai by 6 wickets

Done and dusted!

Punjab defeat Chennai by 6 wickets. 

Punjab are 151/3 after 15 overs. 

The required run rate is 4.13. 

Another wicket...

Mayank Agarwal out!

Harbhajan to Agarwal, catch out by Ravindra Jadeja. 

Agarwal scored 7 runs off 6 balls. 

Next batsman is Mandeep Singh. 

Harbhajan strikes again, this time, he gets Gayle's wicket. 

Harbhajan to Gayle, catch out by Shorey. 

Gayle scored 28 runs off 28 balls. 

Next batsman is Mayank Agarwal. 

Harbhajan finally gets the breakthrough...

KL Rahul out!

Bhajji to Rahul, catch out by Imran Tahir. 

Rahul scored 71 runs off 36 balls. 

Next batsman is Nicholas Pooran. 

Punjab have crossed 100-run mark. 

Rahul is playing at 68 runs off 32 balls, and Gayle is at 25 off 22. 

Punjab are 90/0 after 8 overs. 

This the best start Punjab would have hoping to get against a strong team like Chennai. 

KL Rahul hits half-century, third fastest of the season. 

A 19-ball century for KL Rahul. 

Punjab are 60/0 after 5 overs. 

After 3 overs, Punjab are 33/0. 

Rahul, Gayle start 171-run chase against Chennai. 

Innings Break:

Chennai post 171-run target against Punjab. 

Chennai have lost wickets in the last two overs. The way they started the innings, 180+ score was projected but after du Plessis' wicket, the run rate was slowed down. 

Kedar Jadhav departs on duck...

Shami strikes again...

Shami to Jadhav, bowled. 

Next batsman is Dwayne Bravo. 

Rayudu out...

Shami to Rayudu, catch out by Mandeep Singh. 

Rayudu scored just 1 run. 

Next batsman is Kedar Jadhav. 

Faf du Plessis out!

He missed his IPL century just by four runs. 

Sam Curran to Faf, bowled. 

He scored 96 runs off 55 deliveries. 

Next batsman is Ambati Rayudu. 

Suresh Raina departs!

After playing a brilliant innings, Raina walks back to the pavilion. 

San Curran to Raina, catch out by Shami. 

Raina scored 53 runs off 38 balls. 

Next batsman is MS Dhoni. 

Chennai are 154/2 after 18 overs

Chennai have got a stable start, thanks to Raina and Faffy. 

After 13 overs, Chennai are 101/1. 

Faf du plessis is playing at 29 runs off 23 balls and Raina is at 19 runs off 14 balls. 

Chennai are 57/1 after 8 overs. 

Shane Watson out!

Sam Curran to Watson, bowled. 

Watson scored 7 runs off 11 balls. 

Next batsman is Suresh Raina. 

After 4 overs, Chennai are 29/0. 

Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson are at the crease to open Chennai's innings and Harpreet Brar will open Punjab's bowling attack. 

What the captains are saying:

Ashwin: Every game is important for the franchise. There are a lot players who would like to put their hand up and be counted. We have got some youngsters in the past who have done well and they are getting another game today. 

Dhoni: Last game in the league stage, gives us an opportunity to sort every thing out before the important part of the tournament gets in. 

Toss:

Punjab win the toss and opted to bowl first. Punjab have made one change, bringing in Harpreet Brar in place of Arshdeep Singh. 

While Chennai are playing an unchanged side. 

Playing XI: 

Punjab: Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran(w), Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Andrew Tye, Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami 

Chennai: Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir 

Stats and Facts:

Chennai's their average opening partnership this season is 19.80, and their openers have managed to post a partnership of 50 or more only once in 13 matches. 

Head-to-head records:

Overall both the teams have played a total of 20 matches and Chennai have won 12 and Punjab managed to win 8 games. 

What to expect from the match:

Already assured of a playoff berth, table toppers Chennai will aim to maintain their pole position with a victory over a struggling Punjab in their last IPL group league encounter. 

After a defeat against Mumbai in an earlier match, Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai bounced back with a massive 80-run win over Delhi in their last game, to once again capture the number one spot. 

Heavy loss against Mumbai saw their net run-rate falling and now with just a game left in the league stage, the defending champions need a win to maintain their dominance and cement their position at the top. 

With 18 points from 13 games, a win will give them 20 points, which is unlikely to be achieved by any other team. 

Hello! Welcome to the Match 55 of Indian Premier league 2019 which is between Chennai and Punjab. 

Get live updates, also facts and stats related to the match.