Chandigarh: Priyansh Arya's first century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) propelled the Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a total of 219 runs, leading them to an 18-run victory over the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
In pursuit of the challenging target at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, CSK started steadily. Openers Rachin Ravindra (36 runs off 23 balls) and Devon Conway (69 runs from 49 balls) contributed to a solid powerplay, amassing 59 runs in the first six overs.
The first wicket fell in the seventh over when Rachin was dismissed by off-spinner Glenn Maxwell. Following his departure, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (1) came to the crease but was quickly sent back in the eighth over.
Despite the early setbacks, the team reached the 100-run milestone in the 11th over and surpassed 150 runs by the 16th over. Conway and Shivam Dube (42 runs off 27 balls) formed an impressive partnership, adding 89 runs in just 51 balls before Dube was out in the 16th over, bowled by Lockie Ferguson.
Conway strategically retired in the 18th over, making way for Ravindra Jadeja. MS Dhoni (27 runs off 12 balls) provided a late surge, but it ultimately fell short.
For the Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS, Lockie Ferguson took two wickets (2/40), while Yash Thakur (1/39) and Glenn Maxwell (1/11) each claimed one wicket during their spells.
In the initial innings, after choosing to bat first, PBKS opener Priyansh Arya began the match with a strong performance, hitting two sixes in a single over. However, in the following over, Mukesh Choudary bowled Prabhsimran Singh, who was dismissed for a two-ball duck, leaving PBKS at 17/1 after 1.2 overs.
Khaleel made a significant impact in the third over by taking the crucial wicket of captain Shreyas Iyer for just nine runs, shortly after Iyer had hit him for a six over long-on. This left PBKS at 32/2 in 2.4 overs.
Despite losing wickets at the other end, Priyansh maintained his aggressive approach, striking Mukesh for three consecutive fours in the fourth over.
PBKS crossed the 50-run threshold in 4.4 overs, but the over concluded with Khaleel dismissing Marcus Stoinis for a mere four runs, bringing the score to 54/3 after five overs.
In the last over of the powerplay, bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin, Priyansh attacked with two sixes and a four, reaching his fifty in just 19 balls, which included five fours and four sixes.
In the eighth over, Ashwin retaliated by taking the wickets of Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell, both for single-digit scores, which reduced PBKS to 83/5 after eight overs.
By the end of ten overs, PBKS stood at 94/5, with Priyansh (60*) and Shashank Singh (8*) still at the crease.
PBKS achieved the 100-run milestone in 10.1 overs, courtesy of a massive six from Shashank Singh. In the 12th over, Priyansh dominated Ashwin with three sixes and then scored 23 runs off Matheesha Pathirana, including three sixes and a four, marking his first IPL century in just 39 balls, featuring seven fours and nine sixes.
Noor disrupted the 71-run partnership between Shashank and Priyansh by dismissing Priyansh for 103 runs off 42 balls, which included seven fours and nine sixes. At that point, PBKS was at 154/6 after 13.4 overs.
Marco Jansen and Shashank then worked to stabilize the innings for PBKS, managing to hit a few sixes each over. Jansen found success against the pace attack, helping PBKS reach the 200-run milestone in 18.3 overs.
Ultimately, PBKS finished their innings at 219/6, with Jansen remaining not out on 34 runs from 19 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Shashank Singh ended on 52 runs off 36 balls, featuring two fours and three sixes.
For CSK, Khaleel Ahmed (2/45) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/48) were the leading wicket-takers, with Choudhary and Pathirana each claiming one wicket.
Brief Score: Punjab Kings 219/6 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 103, Shashank Singh 52*, Khaleel Ahmed 2/45) vs Chennai Super Kings 219/6 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 69, Shivam Dube 42, Lockie Ferguson 2/40).
