Chandigarh: A fearless century by uncapped youngster Priyansh Arya lit up the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium as Punjab Kings stunned Chennai Super Kings by 18 runs in a high-scoring 22nd IPL 2025 clash on Tuesday.
Priyansh's blistering 103 off just 42 balls (7x4, 9x6) laid the foundation for Punjab’s imposing 219/6 — a total that proved just beyond the reach of CSK despite a valiant late assault from MS Dhoni.
Chasing 220, CSK were held to 201/5, as pacer Lockie Ferguson (2/40) and Yash Thakur (1/39) held their nerve at the death. The contest, however, swayed back and forth, thanks to cameos from Shivam Dube (42 off 27), Devon Conway’s retired out 69*, and a brief Dhoni blitz that momentarily threatened to tilt the game Chennai’s way.
But it all began with Priyansh's fireworks. The 24-year-old from Delhi turned the tide with fearless strokeplay, bringing up his fifty quickly. He then tore into the CSK attack with astonishing ease — hammering Matheesha Pathirana for three sixes in an over and racing to his hundred in 39 balls. His assault took Punjab to 210 before he finally fell in the 14th over.
He was well-supported by Shashank Singh (52* off 36) and Marco Jansen (34* off 19), the pair adding 70 runs in the last five overs. Even the famed CSK death bowlers — including Khaleel Ahmed and Matheesha Pathirana — had no answer as Priyansh and company sent the ball to all parts of the ground.
In reply, CSK started steadily with Rachin Ravindra’s attractive 36 off 23, filled with glorious off-side strokes — including three fours in an over from Yash Thakur. But Ravindra fell to Glenn Maxwell, dancing down blindly and getting stumped, and Ruturaj Gaikwad followed soon after, mistiming a short ball off Lockie Ferguson to mid-wicket.
At 62/2, the chase was wobbling, but Shivam Dube (42 off 27) and Conway stitched a 61-run stand to steady things. Dube looked dangerous, slamming Ferguson and Jansen for big sixes — including a 93m monster into the second tier — before a clever knuckle ball from Ferguson bowled him in the 16th over.
Enter Dhoni, with CSK needing 69 off the last 24 balls. The spectators roared as the former skipper rolled back the years. He launched Ferguson for two sixes, nearly earned a free hit on a no-ball call, then pulled Arshdeep Singh for a boundary and lofted him flat over extra-cover for six.
At one stage, CSK needed 28 off 12 — and with Dhoni on strike, belief surged. But in the 19th over, Yash Thakur delivered the killer blow. A low full toss down leg was miscued by Dhoni straight to Yazuvendra Chahal at short fine-leg, who clung on after a fumble. The spectators fell silent. It ended Dhoni’s 12-ball 27-run cameo (1x4, 3x6), and with 19 needed off the last over, Ravindra Jadeja and Vijay Shankar couldn’t bridge the gap.
Punjab’s catching was abysmal — they dropped five chances including Conway thrice — but their bowlers stayed composed. Ferguson’s pace and variations, and Yash Thakur’s recovery after a six from Jadeja that landed flush on the boundary cushion, sealed the win.
Earlier, Priyansh innings had already earned a standing ovation — not just for its audacity, but the maturity he showed after early wickets. Hailed as Punjab’s next big thing, Priyansh 103 may have just announced his arrival on the grandest T20 stage.
Score Summary:
Punjab Kings: 219/6 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 103, Shashank Singh 52*, Marco Jansen 34*; Khaleel 2/45, Ashwin 2/48)
Chennai Super Kings: 201/5 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 69*, Shivam Dube 42, MS Dhoni 27; Ferguson 2/40, Yash Thakur 1/39)
