IPL 2025: Punjab Kings Outclass CSK by 18 Runs in Another High-Scoring Thriller

The Chennai Super Kings, five-time IPL winners, were again on the losing side while chasing a strong target as Punjab Kings sealed a deserved 18-run win in Match 22 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite Devon Conway's solid 69 and useful contributions from Shivam Dube (42) and Rachin Ravindra (36), Chennai’s chase fell short after Priyansh Arya lit up the first innings with a stunning maiden IPL century that helped Punjab post a commanding 219/6.

Punjab's bowling lineup was disciplined during the second innings, with Lockie Ferguson claiming two important wickets, while Glenn Maxwell and Yash Thakur both hit at critical junctures to stall CSK's chase.

While Chennai was able to retain all ten wickets during the powerplay, their run rate was behind the required rate. The Kiwi duo of Ravindra and Conway scored 61 for the first wicket before Ravindra was stumped by Prabhsimran Singh after running down the track.

Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's plight didn't change, as he added just one run before being caught by Shashank Singh at short mid-wicket. Dube, the impact sub, introduced some pace and energy and forged an important 89-run stand with Conway.

Dube got to his fifty off 37 balls but lost his timing in the middle overs and got bowled by Ferguson at the precise time when CSK were seeming to launch a comeback.

The stadium burst into joy as MS Dhoni came out to bat ahead of time, bringing a sense of nostalgia to fans. After facing the strike over Yuzvendra Chahal, Dhoni sent Ferguson for two sixes, infusing hope once again for CSK.

Conway, though, could not locate the boundary after his six in the 14th over and was retired out by CSK and replaced by Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni contributed a four and a six off Arshdeep Singh in the 19th over, leaving the equation at 28 from the last six balls.

But the pursuit ended in vain when Dhoni hit a full toss from Yash Thakur to Chahal at short fine leg. Jadeja hit a six later in the over, but it was too late as Chennai lost their fourth successive game.

Earlier in the day, Punjab chose to bat and were off to a dream start as Priyansh Arya struck the very first ball from Khaleel Ahmed for six. He was dropped by Khaleel on the following ball and punished the bowler with 17 runs for the first over.

Chennai responded strongly, dispatching Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, and Marcus Stoinis. Ravichandran Ashwin then delivered an excellent double blow, dismissing Nehal Wadhera (9) and Glenn Maxwell (1) off successive deliveries, reducing Punjab to 83/5 after eight overs.

That's when Arya and Shashank Singh asserted themselves, adding 71 runs off just 34 balls. Arya, on 79, was gifted another slice of fortune when Mukesh Choudhary caught him at the boundary but trod on the rope, converting the dismissal into a six.

Arya finished his century in style, hitting three consecutive sixes off Matheesha Pathirana and then edging the fourth ball to the boundary to complete the milestone. He was dismissed shortly afterwards, but Marco Jansen (34*) and Shashank (52*) continued the fireworks with a 65-run unbeaten stand that took Shashank to his third IPL fifty off the last ball of the innings.

Brief Scores:

Punjab Kings 219/6 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 103, Shashank Singh 52*, Marco Jansen 34*; Khaleel Ahmed 2/45, Ravichandran Ashwin 2/48)

Chennai Super Kings 201/5 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 69, Shivam Dube 42, Rachin Ravindra 36; Lockie Ferguson 2/40, Glenn Maxwell 1/11, Yash Thakur 1/39)

Result: Punjab Kings won by 18 runs