Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have lost two in a row now as Punjab Kings (PBKS) have stormed to their second consecutive victory in IPL 2026, beating the Yellow Army at the Chepauk by five wickets in IPL 2026. Chasing 210, Punjab Kings largely untroubled and got over the line comfortably despite undergoing a mini collapse near the win.
Ayush Mhatre explodes but Sanju Samson fails again
To follow his 6 on his CSK debut, Sanju Samson perished for 7 against the Punjab Kings as new-ball bowler Xavier Bartlett got him to nick off to the keeper. Nevertheless, Ayush Mhatre counterattacked almost from the word go, shifting the pressure onto the opposition. The right-handed batter had slammed three successive boundaries off Bartlett’s bowling at one stage and clobbered two consecutive sixes against Marcus Stoinis. The first six also helped the 19-year-old get to a half-century, reaching there only off 29 deliveries. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad failed to switch gears, perishing to Yuzvendra Chahal for 28 off 22 deliveries.
Punjab Kings did shell some catching opportunities and Sarfaraz Khan crafted a brilliant cameo but the Super Kings still ended with what seemed like a under-par score of 209/5 in their stipulated 20 overs. Mhatre top-scored with 73 off 43 deliveries for the Super Kings.
Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh set the wheels in motion for Punjab Kings’ victory
With 210 for the visiting side to win, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh went hammer and tongs to pile on the pressure early on the Super Kings. New Zealand’s experienced seamer Matt Henry was at the receiving end of leaking 20 runs as the openers combined to hammer three boundaries and a six. Arya was particularly destructive, clobbering 39 off 10 deliveries before Henry cleaned him up in the 11th.
Prabhsimran and Cooper Connolly experienced a miscommunication that resulted in the former’s departure for 38. But Connolly, who struck 72* on his IPL debut, kept going the momentum before perishing for 36. Shreyas Iyer hit a 26-ball half-century before his departure, with Nehal Wadhera following him in the very next ball. However, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis saw the team over the line, helping Punjab Kings complete a 200+ run-chase for the ninth occasion.
Arya earned the Player of the Match award.