CSK vs PBKS, 53rd Match at Dubai, IPL, Oct 07 2021 - Match Result

That's all from us at ESPNcricinfo from this tab. Is this the end of Punjab Kings' campaign or will some dramatic fixtures over tonight and tomorrow see them go through? There's only one way to find out....hop over to Knight Riders v Royals by clicking here

KL Rahul, winning captain and Player of the Match (seven fours and eight sixes in his 98*): "It was really hot today. Plan was simple. The numbers guys told us a few permutations and combinations. We wanted to score it before 14 overs. Just one of those days when it comes off. Had complete clarity of what I wanted to do. I feel like I may end up letting the team down if I play how I want to play. But today, this was how I needed to play. Today was one of those days where I could hit every ball. No better feeling than hitting the ball from the middle of the bat."

5.32pm Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to bowl in Sharjah against Kolkata Knight Riders. You can Click here to follow that big contest. It means Punjab will have to aim for a big Knight Riders collapse and a quick chase from the Royals.

Update: Deepak Chahar has just proposed to his girlfriend in the stands! And it looks like she said yes! Wishing Deepak Chahar all the best.

5.25pm The presentation is coming up. But before that, an update on the question all of you are asking. For RCB to move 2nd and drop CSK to 3rd, RCB need to score around 200 runs and win by 163 runs to go past Dhoni's side (They cannot overtake CSK by chasing a target). Now take into account that the biggest win margin in IPL so far is 146 runs by Mumbai vs Delhi Daredevils in 2017. So CSK can sleep well.

MS Dhoni, losing captain: "In a league like this you have to be at your best always."

Aiden Markram: "Good opportunity always to play IPL. Rahul's done something quite special tonight. The team went crazy behind the scenes with every shot."

varun: "KL surely thinking of that Royals loss by 2 runs."

Points table update: Punjab move to fifth, going above Mumbai Indians on net run rate. Now they need to hope for two things: first, Kolkata lose big tonight (lose by about 71 runs, chasing 180) and then hope Mumbai lose tomorrow. For now, here's a stat that reflects their so-close-yet-so-far seasons: Kings have now finished on 12 points for the fourth season running."

5.17pm That's Punjab Kings' season done (most probably), and they have made a statement in their last game. Playoff qualifiers Chennai Super Kings have been humbled, and that's been set up by their bowling first up and completed by their dependable captain KL Rahul.

For CSK, they are going down a slippery slope. Third straight loss to end their league stage. Not the momentum you want going into the playoffs.

Markram will keep strike. That makes Rahul's chances of a hundred much tougher. His best chance is to get on strike next ball and then hit two sixes to finish the game. Kings need 9 to win.

avneet singh: "Those 4 runs from K Tyagi over .. "

Punjab need another 29.

Edwind : "We need this Rahul in T20 world cup. Rohit will take care anchoring and then exploding. "

riad: "Dhoni could not utilised his resource today .He let rahul be aggressive against pacer . One or two over from bravo and jaddu at up front could give them edge"