"IPL 2025: Irfan Pathan Trolls CSK, PBKS Players With Savage 'Legends League' Jab"

 "IPL 2025: Irfan Pathan Trolls CSK, PBKS Players With Savage 'Legends League' Jab"

"In addition to being a high-scoring contest, the match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings was marred by poor fielding performances."

The IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings turned into a thrilling run-fest in Mullanpur, with both teams crossing the 200-run mark. Batting first, PBKS posted a mammoth 219/6, powered by a sensational 103 off just 42 balls from young opener Priyansh Arya.

CSK put up a valiant chase, taking the match down to the final delivery, but ultimately fell short, managing 201 runs and losing by 18 runs.

However, despite the fireworks with the bat, the match was also marked by a shocking display of poor fielding. A total of eight catches were dropped during the game — a stat that left former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan visibly frustrated.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Irfan took a sarcastic dig, comparing the sloppy fielding to that in the Legends League, saying:

The high-octane IPL 2025 clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may have thrilled fans with its run-scoring spectacle, but it also exposed a glaring weakness from both sides — poor fielding. While the batting fireworks lit up the evening in Mullanpur, the match turned out to be a fielding disaster, with a total of eight dropped catches, costing both teams dearly.

PBKS emerged victorious, defending a massive total of 219/6, but their win could have been far more dominant had they held onto the chances that came their way. On the flip side, CSK's sloppy fielding allowed PBKS batters to pile on the runs, eventually proving to be the difference in an otherwise close contest.

Even PBKS’s young opener Priyansh Arya, who played a match-winning knock of 103 off just 42 balls, benefitted from fielding lapses. Several other batters from both teams were allowed extra lifelines, which translated directly into extra runs — something that didn’t sit well with either camp.

After the match, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t mince his words while addressing the team’s fielding woes. He openly admitted that fielding has been the key difference in their recent performances and is likely the primary reason behind their continued struggles in the tournament.

"I think in the last four games, the only point of difference has been fielding. It has been critical. The catches we have been dropping — the same batsmen are going on to score 15, 20, 30 more runs," said Gaikwad during the post-match presentation.

The young captain also reflected on the team’s bowling effort, acknowledging that while CSK managed to take wickets at regular intervals, they were unable to control the flow of runs — especially after missed opportunities in the field.

"We were getting wickets at regular intervals but they kept the momentum going. Even 10-15 runs fewer would’ve helped us a lot. But again, it comes down to dropped catches," he added.

"From a batting perspective, it was a solid performance. Two of our best players of pace — Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway — were up at the top. They gave us a good start during the powerplay. We were just two or three hits away today. Devon is more of a timer of the ball, and he held the innings together."

While PBKS celebrated a much-needed win after their previous defeat to Rajasthan Royals, it was a fourth consecutive loss for the five-time champions CSK. With just one win in five matches, CSK now finds itself languishing at ninth place on the points table, a position that has raised serious concerns among fans and critics alike.

Meanwhile, PBKS will take confidence from this win but will need to address their own fielding flaws if they aim to build momentum in the coming games. As the tournament progresses, it's becoming clear that in a format where margins are razor-thin, fielding can be the difference between victory and defeat.