Punjab Kings pulled off a spectacular chase to defeat Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets in Match 7 of IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 3.
Despite a record-breaking performance from CSK’s teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre, a brutal powerplay blast from Priyansh Arya and a composed captain’s knock from Shreyas Iyer ensured Punjab maintained their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
Match Summary: CSK vs PBKS, IPL 2026 Match 7
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| CSK Score | 209/5 (20 overs) |
| PBKS Score | 210/5 (18.4 overs) |
| Match Result | PBKS won by 5 wickets (8 balls left) |
| Best Batting (PBKS) | Shreyas Iyer – 50 off 29 balls |
| Best Bowling (PBKS) | Yuzvendra Chahal – 1/21 in 3 overs |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk |
CSK Innings: 209/5 in 20 Overs
After being sent in to bat, CSK faced an early setback when Sanju Samson (7 off 7) fell to Xavier Bartlett in the second over. However, 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre took center stage, smashing 73 off 43 balls (6 fours, 5 sixes). In doing so, he became the youngest player to score an IPL half-century at Chepauk. Mhatre anchored a 96-run partnership with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (28 off 22) to stabilize the innings.
The death overs saw Shivam Dube strike an unbeaten 45 off 27 balls, while Sarfaraz Khan provided a high-intensity cameo of 32 off just 12 balls (SR 266.67). Despite the late fireworks, PBKS’s Vijaykumar Vyshak (2/38) and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/21) managed to pick up key wickets to prevent an even larger total.
CSK Innings At A Glance
| Details | CSK Innings |
|---|---|
| Total | 209/5 in 20 overs |
| Powerplay | 57/1 (0–6 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Ayush Mhatre – 73 off 43 balls |
| Best Partnership | Mhatre & Gaikwad – 96 runs |
| Best Bowling (PBKS) | Vijaykumar Vyshak – 2/38 (4 overs) |
PBKS Chase: 210/5 in 18.4 Overs
Punjab Kings launched a ferocious response. Impact Player Priyansh Arya stunned the home crowd with a blistering 39 off 11 balls, including 4 sixes and 3 fours, at a strike rate of 354.55. This allowed PBKS to race to 50 in just 3.2 overs. Prabhsimran Singh (43 off 34) and Cooper Connolly (36 off 22) kept the scoreboard ticking before Shreyas Iyer took control.
Iyer’s 50 off 29 balls put Punjab on the brink of victory. Though CSK’s Anshul Kamboj (2/43) dismissed both Iyer and Wadhera in consecutive deliveries during the 17th over, the damage was done. Shashank Singh (14*) and Marcus Stoinis (9*) finished the job with 1.2 overs to spare.
PBKS Chase At A Glance
| Details | PBKS Chase |
|---|---|
| Target | 210 runs |
| Total | 210/5 in 18.4 overs |
| Powerplay | 68/1 (0–6 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Shreyas Iyer – 50 off 29 balls |
| Best Bowling (CSK) | Anshul Kamboj – 2/43 (3.4 overs) |
Key Highlight: The Battle of Youngsters vs. Experience
The match was defined by the contrast between CSK’s rising star and PBKS’s tactical depth:
- Ayush Mhatre (18y, 261d): Set a new age record for a fifty at Chepauk, overshadowing several senior stars.
- Priyansh Arya’s Impact: His 11-ball 39 was statistically the most impactful cameo of the season so far, shifting the win probability to PBKS within the first 4 overs.
- Captain’s Class: Shreyas Iyer remained calm despite the high required rate, marking his second consecutive match-winning performance against CSK at this venue.
Nitish Kumar Reddy was named Player of the Match for his all-round heroics earlier in the day, but at Chepauk, it was the Punjab Kings who walked away with the 2 points, leaving CSK at the bottom of the table with two losses in two games.
