In search of big win, Punjab post -- against CSK

Young paceman Lungi Ngidi took four wickets for just 10 runs but Karun Nair hit a timely half-century to help Kings XI Punjab recover from a top-order collapse and post 153 against Chennai Super Kings in an IPL mach, which they need to win by at least 53 runs to qualify for the Play-offs.

Delhi Daredevils had done a favour to Punjab by knocking out Mumbai Indians with an 11-run win in the first match of the day as it kept Punjab in the hunt.

Punjab now need to restrict CSK to 100 runs to seal the last-available spot in the Play-offs and if they fail to win big, Rajasthan Royals will qualify.

When Punjab batsmen needed to fire in unison, only Nair showed stomach for fight with his 26-ball knock, which was laced with three fours and five sixes.

It was South African paceman Ngidi (4/10) who triggered a top-order collapse as he swung the ball both ways to confound the Punjab batsmen.

He first had dangerous Chris Gayle (0) caught behind and then bowled other opener KL Rahul with a peach of delivery that swung in and sent the stump kart-wheeling.

Deepak Chahar had Aaron Finch (4) caught by Raina as Punjab managed only 29 runs in the Powerplay overs.

In his sensational three-over spell, Ngidi conceded just seven runs and scalped both the openers.

David Miller (24) and Manish Tiwary (35) repaired the innings with a 60-run partnership before left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja broke the stand by dismissing the latter.

Miller too did not last long after departure of Tiwary as he was undone by a well-executed yorker by West Indian Dwayne Bravo. The Miller wicket meant that Punjab were reeling at 80 for five in 12.1 overs.

A small partnership developed between Axar Patel (14) and Nair but Sam Billings pulled off a stunning diving catch to get rid of the left-hander. Still, Punjab got 18 runs from that Shardul Thakur over with Nair finding a six and two fours.

Ngidi returned to the attack and saw the back of rival captain R Ashwin, who could not even open his account, nicking the ball to his counterpart MS Dhoni behind the wickets. Punjab could not even bat for full 20 overs and were bowled out in 19.4 overs.

Had it not been a fighting knock from Nair, they would not have crossed even 150-run mark.