After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Punjab Kings faced an early onslaught from CSK’s teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre. Despite losing Sanju Samson (7) early to Xavier Bartlett, Mhatre took the game to the bowlers, smashing 73 off 43 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes).
Mhatre found a steady partner in skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (28), and together they built a 96-run partnership. Late-inning cameos from Sarfaraz Khan (32 off 12) and an unbeaten Shivam Dube (45* off 27) pushed Chennai to a massive 209/5.
🔙 to 🔙 victories ✌️@PunjabKingsIPL complete the chase in an authoritative fashion ❤️
A win by 5⃣ wickets in Chennai 🥳
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/riWrE2EZiF#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvPBKS pic.twitter.com/S9EEawsaZk
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 3, 2026
The Powerplay Blitz: Priyansh Arya Goes Nuclear
The chase began with pure fireworks. PBKS opener Priyansh Arya played one of the most impactful cameos of the season, bludgeoning 39 runs off just 11 deliveries. His strike rate of 354.55 left the CSK bowlers shell-shocked as the Kings raced to 61 runs in just 4.2 overs.
Shreyas Iyer Anchors the Victory
While Prabhsimran Singh (43) and Cooper Connolly (36) kept the scoreboard ticking, it was skipper Shreyas Iyer who ensured there were no late-game hiccups. Iyer struck a composed 50 off 29 balls, including three massive sixes, to keep the required rate under control.
Despite a minor wobble that saw Iyer and Nehal Wadhera fall in quick succession, Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh remained calm to finish the game with 8 balls to spare.
Match Summary
CSK: 209/5 (20 overs) | Ayush Mhatre 73 (43), Shivam Dube 45* (27); Vijaykumar Vyshak 2/38.
PBKS: 210/5 (18.4 overs) | Shreyas Iyer 50 (29), Prabhsimran Singh 43 (34), Priyansh Arya 39 (11).
Result: Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets.
Player of the Match: Priyansh Arya (PBKS).
