Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a stunning five-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 7 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, successfully chasing down a daunting target of 210 with eight balls to spare. In what turned out to be a run-fest, both teams showcased explosive batting, but PBKS held their nerve better in the chase to seal an impressive win.
Ayush Mhatre and others power CSK to a massive total
After being put in to bat first, the Super Kings posted a formidable total of 209/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to a series of impactful contributions in the middle and death overs. However, the innings didn’t start on the best note, as Sanju Samson fell early for just 7 runs, while Ruturaj Gaikwad managed a steady but unspectacular 28 off 22 balls.
The momentum shifted dramatically with Ayush Mhatre taking charge. The young batter played a sensational knock of 73 off 43 balls, laced with six boundaries and five sixes, anchoring the innings brilliantly. Shivam Dube complemented him well with a powerful 45 off 27 deliveries, keeping the scoring rate high during the middle overs.
The real acceleration came towards the end, with Sarfaraz Khan unleashing an explosive cameo. He smashed 32 runs off just 12 balls, including six fours and a six, propelling CSK past the 200-run mark. Despite decent efforts from PBKS bowlers like Vyshak Vijaykumar (2/38) and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/21), the total looked highly competitive on a batting-friendly surface.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Kevin Pietersen picks 4 teams to reach playoffs after first week of action
PBKS pulls off a stunning chase to hand CSK a defeat at Chepauk
Chasing 210, Punjab Kings got off to a flying start, courtesy of Priyansh Arya’s breathtaking innings. He hammered 39 runs off just 11 balls, including four sixes, setting the tone early in the powerplay. Prabhsimran Singh then steadied the innings with a well-crafted 43 off 34 balls, ensuring PBKS didn’t lose momentum after the early burst.
Cooper Connolly added valuable runs with a quickfire 36 off 22 deliveries, keeping the required rate in check. The chase was then expertly guided by skipper Shreyas Iyer, who played a composed yet aggressive knock of 50 off 29 balls. His innings, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, proved to be the backbone of the chase.
Though CSK managed to pick up wickets at intervals through Matt Henry and Anshul Kamboj, PBKS never let the pressure build. Late cameos from Shashank Singh (14 off 6) and Marcus Stoinis (9 off 3) ensured that the visitors crossed the finish line comfortably in 18.4 overs.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Shreyas really is some player.
I turn the TV on to watch him— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 3, 2026
Sarpanch Saab hai na! ❤️🫶 pic.twitter.com/AgNb1drLHu
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 3, 2026
Punjab Kings hunt down 210 with clinical precision to defeat CSK by 5 wickets 🔥#cricket #CSKvsPBKS #ipl2026 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/4pAqwi4uux
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 3, 2026
🚨 PUNJAB KINGS – TABLE TOPPERS OF IPL 2026. 🚨
– The Shreyas Iyer army is on fire! 🥶
pic.twitter.com/jzVNdhMCEY— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 3, 2026
IPL 2023 ✅
IPL 2024 ✅
IPL 2025 ✅
IPL 2026 ✅FOURTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY FOR PUNJAB KINGS vs CSK IN CHEPAUK 🤯🔥 pic.twitter.com/UByerR6d51
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 3, 2026
Priyansh Arya treated CSK like they are Kenya, 39 runs off just 11 balls, pure carnage 😭🔥
Punjab Kings have now won 6 out of their last 7 matches against the five-time champions.
PBKS are no longer underdogs, they’re serious contenders now. ✨ pic.twitter.com/3g0npjSlS5
— Soman. (@Shreyasian96) April 3, 2026
🔥 DOMINANCE ALERT: Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings 🔥
PBKS have won 7 out of their last 8 matches against CSK 🤯
Pure one-sided dominance in recent years 📉
Momentum clearly with Punjab — CSK need something special to turn this around 👀🏏#PBKS #CSK #IPL2026 #Cricket… pic.twitter.com/5CYV4R1kdJ
— Majid Hussain (@MH_402) April 3, 2026
Many laughed when Punjab Kings bought Shreyas Iyer for ₹26.75 crore. But since he arrived, the team’s fortunes have changed completely and now everyone is talking about them.
Without any doubt, the best captain in the IPL right now. 🔥
— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) April 3, 2026
– Lost vs Rajasthan Royals.
– Lost vs Punjab Kings.
– Now going to face RCB on Sunday in Chinnaswamy.Tough road for Chennai Super Kings ❌#CSKvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/WVRwKHCZSE
— Arkatanu Pal (@Arkatanu_Pal) April 3, 2026
From being in the playing XI in 2018 to leading DC to the IPL 2020 Final, winning IPL 2024 with KKR, and reaching the IPL 2025 Final with PBKS—
Shreyas Iyer has come a long way.A leader who delivers,
adapts, and builds teams across franchises.He truly deserves more… pic.twitter.com/Jj4AsJpEuj
— Bijendra B Rajput (@brajput868) April 3, 2026
🚨 THE MOMENTS PUNJAB KINGS WON THE MATCH LED BY CAPTAIN SHREYAS IYER 🚨
– 4th consecutive win for Punjab Kings in last 4 encounters Vs CSK at Chepauk! 🔥🥶
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) April 3, 2026
Tumhare patakhe khatam ho gaye ho to main apne dhamake shuru karu?
– Shreyas Iyer— Bleed_blue (@bleedblue1805) April 3, 2026
If Ruturaj Gaikwad wants to succeed in cricket, he just needs to follow Shreyas Iyer.
That’s it. He should learn how to bat and how to captain.#IPL2026 #CSKvPBKS
— Madras Man (@newbatsman) April 3, 2026
The Mentality of PBKS is something which has been a key change since the arrival of Shreyas Iyer & Ricky Ponting#CSKVSPBKS #Chennai
— SKH (@skhhere) April 3, 2026
