PBKS vs CSK, IPL 2025 Highlights: MS Dhoni provided a late push after walking in earlier than usual but it was not enough as CSK lost to PBKS by 18 runs. MS Dhoni walked in at No.5 after an 89-run stand between Shivam Dube and Devon Conway was broken by Lockie Ferguson, who dismissed the former on 42 off 27. Conway was retired out in the 18th over having made 69 in 49 balls. CSK are chasing a daunting target of 220.
Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway lasted the powerplay, making it the first time a Chennai Super Kings opening pair had done so this season. However, Ravindra ended up getting stumped off Glenn Maxwell right after in the seventh over itself.
Punjab Kings played almost the perfect T20 innings, blasting their way to 219/6 with Priyansh Arya setting it up and Shashank Singh finishing it. Punjab lost wickets in a clump, but that almost didn’t matter at all, solely because of opener Priyansh Arya’s jaw-dropping innings. Arya smashed his way to a 39-ball century before falling on 103 off 42 deliveries. His knock helped PBKS cross 150 inside 13 overs but he was also the sixth man to fall for the hosts in just the 14th over.
Wickets and runs both came as quick as light in the first 10 overs with Priyansh Arya the constant for Punjab Kings. Chennai Super Kings took as many as five wickets in the first eight overs but also conceded more than 80 runs in this period.
It was a high-octane start to the match as Khaleel Ahmed dismissed Shreyas Iyer in his first over after being smashed for 17 in his first by Priyansh Arya. Mukesh Choudhary sent back Arya’s opening partner Prabhsimran Singh in the second over right after that bumper first over. Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer earlier won the toss and chose to bat first against Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2025 match in Mullanpur.
Despite the early flurry of wickets, Punjab Kings kept their foot on the gas pedal. The middle order provided just enough resistance to capitalize on the carnage set in motion by Priyansh Arya. While Shashank Singh played the finisher’s role to perfection, scoring a quickfire 34 off just 14 balls, the lower order chipped in with valuable cameos that pushed PBKS to an imposing 219/6.
For CSK, it was a night of missed chances and what-ifs. Their bowlers, despite the early breakthroughs, failed to contain Arya’s onslaught. Mukesh Choudhary and Khaleel Ahmed started well but were taken apart in the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja and Maheesh Theekshana struggled for consistency, unable to halt the Punjab juggernaut.
In reply, CSK’s chase had promise but lacked the firepower at the end. After Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway weathered the powerplay storm — something CSK had failed to do in previous games — it seemed they were setting the stage for a classic chase. Conway, in particular, was sublime with his shot selection, anchoring the innings with a composed 69 before he was tactically retired out in the 18th over to allow big hitters a shot at the target.
Shivam Dube’s aggressive 42 off 27 balls gave CSK hope, but once he was dismissed by Lockie Ferguson, the chase began to lose steam. Ferguson, the pick of the PBKS bowlers, returned with figures of 3/38, including the crucial wickets of Dube and Dhoni’s early partner.
MS Dhoni’s entry at No. 5 sparked immediate excitement. The crowd roared as he rolled back the years with two massive sixes and a boundary. However, the required run rate had ballooned past 15 per over by then, and even Dhoni’s heroics couldn’t pull off the miracle. He remained unbeaten on 24 off 11 balls, a brief but nostalgic flash of vintage Dhoni.
Ultimately, CSK fell short by 18 runs, and PBKS walked away with a comprehensive victory — one built on Arya’s brilliance and Ferguson’s precision.
Player of the Match:
Priyansh Arya – for his scintillating 103 off 42 balls that lit up Mullanpur and set the tone for Punjab Kings’ dominance.