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The match witnessed high-quality T20 cricket. CSK's power-hitting kept the crowd entertained during the first innings, but PBKS' disciplined batting proved decisive.
Punjab Kings' Marcus Stoinis with batting partner Shashank Singh celebrate after wining against Chennai Super Kings' during the Indian Premier League cricket in Chennai.(AP)Punjab Kings (PBKS) continued their strong start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 with a convincing five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings in Match 7 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chasing a challenging 210, PBKS reached the target in 18.4 overs, boosting their points tally to 4 from two wins while CSK suffered their second straight defeat.
CSK's aggressive batting sets high target
PBKS won the toss and elected to bowl first on a batting-friendly Chepauk pitch. Chennai Super Kings posted a competitive 209/5 in 20 overs.
Young opener Ayush Mhatre starred with a quickfire 73 off 43 balls, mixing powerful sixes with clever placement. He built a strong foundation alongside skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. Middle-order contributions came from Shivam Dube (45) and others who accelerated in the death overs. CSK's innings featured several big hits, but they lost wickets at regular intervals, finishing five down.
PBKS bowlers kept things tight in patches. Anshul Kamboj picked up 2/43, while other pacers and spinners restricted the damage. The total of 209 looked daunting but was gettable on a pitch that offered good carry and bounce.
PBKS chase with authority led by Priyansh Arya
Punjab Kings responded with a remarkable chase. Priyansh Arya earned Player of the Match for his explosive start, scoring a rapid 39 that set the tone. Openers gave PBKS a flying beginning, and captain Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a well-crafted half-century.
Key partnerships kept the required run rate under control. Prabhsimran Singh and others chipped in as PBKS maintained momentum. Despite losing five wickets, they finished comfortably with 8 balls to spare, reaching 210/5.
Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh were at the crease at the end, with Stoinis sealing the win in style. CSK's bowlers, including debutant Prashant Veer, tried hard but couldn't stem the flow of runs on the true surface.
Key moments and turning points
The match witnessed high-quality T20 cricket. CSK's power-hitting kept the crowd entertained during the first innings, but PBKS' disciplined batting proved decisive. Early wickets for CSK in the chase were nullified by aggressive strokeplay from the visitors.
Priyansh Arya's knock earned him the Player of the Match award for his match-defining contribution. Shreyas Iyer's calm presence in the middle overs was equally crucial in navigating any pressure.
Points table update and implications
With this win, Punjab Kings sit atop the IPL 2026 points table with 4 points and a healthy net run rate of +0.637. Chennai Super Kings remain at the bottom with 0 points from two losses and a negative NRR of -2.562.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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