The Punjab Kings beat the Chennai Super Kings by five wickets Match 7 of the 2026 Indian Premier League at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai
Being put
into bat first, the Super Kings reached 209/5 at the end of their 20 overs, led mostly by the 73-run knock of Ayush Mhatre. Coming in at one drop, he stabilised the innings and took on the Punjab bowlers in a mature knock. The platform he set was taken on by Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a brilliant 32 off 11 balls. A display of innovative shorts from Sarfaraz took the Super Kings forward, before Shivam Dube added the finishing touches, remaining unbeaten on 45.
In response, the Punjab Kings started brilliantly, with Priyansh Arya taking the attack to the CSK pacers. Arya was dismissed for 39, off just 11 balls, as Punjab managed 68 runs off the powerplay. Cooper Connolly, coming off his brilliant innings against the Gujarat Titans, continued the same vein of form as he scored 36, taking Punjab closer to the total. After Connolly fell, Shreyas Iyer took on the Chennai bowlers, reaching 50 off just 26 balls. He fell with Punjab needing 24 from the last three overs. Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh led the team home, with eight balls to spare.
CSK vs PBKS: Talking Points
1, Ayush Mhatre finds his footing once more
The new star-studded opening pairing of Ruturaj Giakwad and Sanju Samson meant that 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre found himself batting at one-down. After a failure against Rajasthan, Mhatre made up with a brilliant 73, off just 43 balls. Playing brilliant strokes, taking on the bowlers and chipping away at the scoreboard, he set the platform for Chennai’s ascent to 209/5. While questions regarding his position remain, Mhatre has shown that he can still hang with the big boys, after displaying his high potential in 2025.
2. Sarfaraz Khan shows up in style
Sarfaraz Khan once again showed glimpses of the potential he showed as a youngster in the IPL. Coming in with the score at 130/4, Sarfaraz, in a 12-ball 32 motored Chennai Super Kings along, showing his full arsenal of innovative shot-making. Playing his ramps and dabs, showing his intent by stepping down the track against the quicks, it was almost as if we were watching the young lad who took the IPL by storm with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sarfaraz continuing this form would aid the Chennai Super Kings’ fortunes.
3. Chahal's overs leave questions
Yuzvendra Chahal continued his form from the previous game, bowling three overs for just 21 runs, and picking up the wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad. But he was not given a fourth over by Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer, instead choosing to go to Marcus Stoinis, and was subbed out for Priyansh Arya ahead of the innings break. This leaves question marks as to whether the threat of Shivam Dube against the spinners prompted Iyer to avoid going to his star leggie, which Shreyas confirmed was the case post-match.
4. Punjab’s over-rate issues continue
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was fined INR 12 lakh for failing to maintain the over rate in the first game against the Titans. Here too, at Chennai, Punjab failed to finish their 20 overs in the allotted time, having field restrictions put on for the last two overs. This is a problem to be addressed not just for the team, but for Shreyas himself, with bans being potentially applicable from the third repeat of this offence.
Who Said What?
Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain
"I feel it was a really good score. Wicket was better for pacers but it was gripping - slower balls were gripping too. With big boundaries, felt it was a really good score. We felt we had three seamers and having two wrist-spinners bowling in tandem will help. Off-day for both of them and that is what cost us. Mixture of both - sometimes, we executed well, sometimes, we did not execute well.
The pressure did not build. There was a point when it [required run-rate] went to 11, and a couple of good overs would have taken it to 12-13. We just did not get momentum in the middle. Tough one. Lot of positives. Ayush batted brilliantly. Shivam batted really well. Batting wise, we had good confidence. Bowling wise, lot to improve. Today, I felt to stick around a bit. Wicket was gripping, so thought to hang in there and then cash in but unfortunately, got out at the wrong time."
Shreyas Iyer, PBKS captain
"Well, obviously, there's a worry before getting onto the field, but the way we started today, I think that was an exceptional start for us. Priyansh and Prab doing the job at the start and then setting the bench for us going inside. And I personally feel that the way they've been batting over years now, it's phenomenal to see them giving us that start and it stabilizes the rhythm for us. Yes, absolutely.
I'm glad that everyone is getting to bat in the first two games itself. That gives immense confidence for the team as well. So that, you know, whenever we are stuck in a pressure situation, people are aware of how to handle it. (on what is the chat in the dressing room?) Well, it's not planned, honestly speaking, but we've just decided in the dressing room that whatever happens, we are going to play a brand of cricket which is to impress each other, not others outside. So, you know, that gives us a certain sort of clarity as well when we approach the game. And it is basically challenging each other inside the dressing room, not outside.
(On Priyansh) Absolutely. I mean, getting 39 out of 11 balls, that's the start we require, especially when you're chasing 208. I think it was a belter to bat out. But the way we started, it was 25 off 3 overs and then suddenly they started picking up from there. But it is important that we remain calm and also the over rate is something that we should look up to right now. Because 5 fielders coming in the last 2 overs, you sort of know that there is only one line to bowl. So that's the only part we need to focus on at the moment.
(On Chahal) Yes, I feel that we all know how good he is against spinners. And he had one more over left and there were many domestic players who are good players of spin. So I decided to go with the seamers at that point of time. And usually we know how impressive he is over the years. And he's probably one of the best bowlers in the IPL so far. So whenever I'm in doubt, I do that."
Priyansh Arya, Player of the Match
"I have been like this [of attacking] since childhood. I just want to play for the team's benefit. There's always some risk, but I've the belief to hit the first ball if it's there to be hit. There're experienced bowlers in the IPL, but I've practiced hard and benefited. I practice twice everyday and it's for one and a half hour in each session, I love batting. My family background is in teaching; my sister is a teacher as well, so I might have become one too. Now, there's no chance of it."
