PBKS triumphs
Chennai Super Kings 209 for 5 (Mhatre 73, Dube 45, Vyshak 2-38) were defeated by Punjab Kings 210 for 5 (Shreyas 50, Priyansh 39, Kamboj 2-43) by five wickets.In the IPL, Punjab is the master of chases of 200 or more. Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer destroyed the Chennai Super Kings bowling attack on Friday night, continuing their eight-time streak. When the PBKS fifty came up, Arya had 33 off 9. Shreyas accelerated to a fifty off 26 balls after being 4 off 5.
After two games, the Chennai Super Kings are now without a victory, and they will be concerned because they were outplayed in circumstances that would have strengthened them. Their top five is impressive. They gain strength from pitches like this one that let them hit through the line. However, their bowling weakness was not compensated adequately by their 209 for 5.
Apr 3, 2026, 11:22 PM
Nevertheless, CSK has claimed two wickets in two balls: Wadhera was dismissed for a duck, and Shreyas was dismissed for fifty.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:57 PM
Connolly had dropped in the previous over, so PBKS had a 45% chance of winning the 13th over. Shreyas Iyer's move put PBKS's chances of winning at 65%.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:50 PM
Apr 3, 2026, 11:22 PM
Shreyas fifty and out
Not too long ago, Shreyas was a 4 out of 5. He is now 50 off 26. The PBKS captain has had a really impressive innings. He refused to let any pressure get to him. When they play CSK, many hitters will feel the same way he does. Opponents might be put off by Noor Ahmed's left-arm wristspin. Alternatively, they might believe that they can begin by taking chances against him and then reevaluate if negative outcomes occur because backing up whatever wickets It seems like CSK has a problem with Noor or anybody else.Nevertheless, CSK has claimed two wickets in two balls: Wadhera was dismissed for a duck, and Shreyas was dismissed for fifty.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:57 PM
Shreyas masters Chahar
0 2 6 1 1 6Connolly had dropped in the previous over, so PBKS had a 45% chance of winning the 13th over. Shreyas Iyer's move put PBKS's chances of winning at 65%.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:50 PM
Connolly has left
On a full throw, he lacks the strength to clear the fielder at mid-off. All the way back to the dressing room, he will be kicking himself. PBKS requires 83 in 49 balls. Nehal Wadhera and Shreyas are in the center.Noor has one over of spin for CSK, while Chahar has two. They will then need to rely on the quicks to complete the task, although they have been rather easy to hit all day.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:35 PM
CSK used to be a bit of a dud fielding team since they preferred experience. It appears that has now changed. The bowler, Noor, hared across for the ball that had strayed into the empty midwicket area. He was supported by Sarfaraz, who had also entered from the deep. After Connolly sent Prabhsimran back, Sarfaraz threw the ball to the non-strikers' end.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:34 PM
Cooper Connolly came out here and faced Noor Ahmed's left-arm wrist spin after winning a game almost entirely by himself. His game appears to have everything but the ability to backtrack.
CSK is attempting to use their standard spin choke. They were able to replace Jamie Overton with Rahul Chahar as their impact substitute due to their batting performance in the first innings.
Connolly's performance today could have a significant impact on maintaining PBKS' batting plans and upsetting CSK's spin preparations.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:13 PM
Arya's innings (39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355) will now serve as an example of what T20 openers should do. He spotted more than 200 on the board. He was aware that significant carnage during the powerplay would be necessary to break the back of the chase. He was also aware of the lengthy hitting lineup on his squad. Therefore, if he isn't out there scoring the winning runs, it doesn't matter. If he arranges his partners, it is plenty.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:06 PM
Brad Haddin, assistant coach at PBKS, stated at the pre-game news conference that the coaches were in awe of Arya's batting. His hand speed was simply amazing, even though he was really raw in his first and final year.
When the squad got back together for this season, Haddin was impressed by how much Arya had improved as a player compared to IPL 2025.
In 3.2 overs, PBKS reached their 50. With three fours and two sixes, Arya is 27 off eight balls.
Apr 3, 2026, 9:48 PM
Arya, who was substituted for Chahal, starts PBKS' pursuit with two boundaries. Arya smashes Khaleel Ahmed for four when he goes all out to swing. For the first six of the innings, Arya swatted him over midwicket when the next ball was shorter and at the body.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:35 PM
Prabhsimran has left
It's also a waste of wicket. Try to get a two when there isn't one. Shreyas Iyer has made his way to the center. Really, it strutted. The man seems practically self-assured.CSK used to be a bit of a dud fielding team since they preferred experience. It appears that has now changed. The bowler, Noor, hared across for the ball that had strayed into the empty midwicket area. He was supported by Sarfaraz, who had also entered from the deep. After Connolly sent Prabhsimran back, Sarfaraz threw the ball to the non-strikers' end.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:34 PM
Connolly exaggeration
He hasn't received much attention from the outside world, but perhaps this IPL may change that.Cooper Connolly came out here and faced Noor Ahmed's left-arm wrist spin after winning a game almost entirely by himself. His game appears to have everything but the ability to backtrack.
CSK is attempting to use their standard spin choke. They were able to replace Jamie Overton with Rahul Chahar as their impact substitute due to their batting performance in the first innings.
Connolly's performance today could have a significant impact on maintaining PBKS' batting plans and upsetting CSK's spin preparations.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:13 PM
Arya has left
It used to be illegal to not convert a start once you got one.Arya's innings (39 off 11 at a strike rate of 355) will now serve as an example of what T20 openers should do. He spotted more than 200 on the board. He was aware that significant carnage during the powerplay would be necessary to break the back of the chase. He was also aware of the lengthy hitting lineup on his squad. Therefore, if he isn't out there scoring the winning runs, it doesn't matter. If he arranges his partners, it is plenty.
Apr 3, 2026, 10:06 PM
Ayra's ascent
Five boundaries were hit after eight balls were faced.Brad Haddin, assistant coach at PBKS, stated at the pre-game news conference that the coaches were in awe of Arya's batting. His hand speed was simply amazing, even though he was really raw in his first and final year.
When the squad got back together for this season, Haddin was impressed by how much Arya had improved as a player compared to IPL 2025.
In 3.2 overs, PBKS reached their 50. With three fours and two sixes, Arya is 27 off eight balls.
Apr 3, 2026, 9:48 PM
Arriving Impact Player Arya
1w 4 6 1 0 0 1w 1w 0 4 6 4 1 4 1Arya, who was substituted for Chahal, starts PBKS' pursuit with two boundaries. Arya smashes Khaleel Ahmed for four when he goes all out to swing. For the first six of the innings, Arya swatted him over midwicket when the next ball was shorter and at the body.
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| Priyansh Arya in action |
Despite beating Prabhsimran's outside edge and having the outswinger going against the right-handed player, Khaleel concedes 14 off the first over.
For the second over, Matt Henry's ball isn't swinging, so Arya smashes 4,6,4 against him to reach 25 from 6 balls.
Apr 3, 2026, 9:35 PM
CSK 209 for five
After Sarfaraz Khan's brilliant cameo and Ayush Mhatre's 73 off 43, CSK finishes at 209 for 5. He made 32 from 12 ramping bouncers, which the bowler believed he had gotten away with for six, and yorkers, which the bowler believed he had gotten away with for four. PBKS has a history of chasing down big totals with a lengthy and potent batting lineup.CSK's most recent IPL home score of 200. At Chepauk, they have currently scored 15 totals of 200 or more; their most recent one was against SRH in April 2024.
Apr 3, 2026, 9:20 PM
Veer's arrival
- Prashant Veer's IPL debut.
- Bartlett's first ball was too brilliant to be a stroke.
- The bouncer chases the second ball from Bartlett and is defeated.
- Jansen's third ball shuffles across to be scooped for four.
Apr 3, 2026, 9:08 PM
Sarfaraz's beginning
By the time Sarfaraz Khan faced ten balls against PBKS, he had six boundaries.Despite falling to the 12th ball he encounters, he has already amassed 32 runs with a strike rate of 266. On the other end, Shivam Dube is 14 off 14. That should put Sarfarz's excellent innings in perspective.
4 4 4 W 0 0
In the seventeenth over, Vyshak takes the wicket.
Yorkers were keeping Dube silent. With cheeky little dabs of his open-faced bat, Sarfaraz was smashing them to the deep third boundary. As Sarfaraz left, Dube felt compelled to actually approach him and say a few words.
Apr 3, 2026, 9:01 PM
Sarfaraz's arrival
In the fifteenth over, Sarfaraz Khan just produced two brilliant drives to the third man boundary off Arshdeep Singh.1 4 4 4 1 1
He arched his back away from a bouncer in the first one, and it appeared as though he had left it until he raised his bat and the ball simply bounced off it over the keeper.
Even better was the subsequent shot. Arshdeep struck a hard length without going over, and the pitch reacted by giving him more bounce. As he dabbed the ball with an open face while recoiling from it, Sarfaraz managed to find the space between the keeper and a very short third.
Sarfaraz, a domestic mainstay, is adding a little something down the order to a CSK lineup that needs it. He has the game against spin and the shots, particularly the unconventional ones, to succeed.
Apr 3, 2026, 8:54 PM
The PBKS retaliation
W 1 0 1 0 2w 2nb 1w 1 1 4 W 0 1 1 2 2 1 W 0 0Between the twelfth and fourteenth overs, this is what took place.
The batting lineup of PBKS is long and powerful. They won't be able to surpass any total, but it appears that they are already lowering it.
Apr 3, 2026, 8:35 PM
Dube shows up
At Chepauk, the World Cup champion receives a thunderous applause. They yell, "Du-be! Du-be! Du-be!" as Chahal dashes in to bowl at, well, Dube.Gaikwad fell for 28 off 22 after having to make room for him. Given the pitch's characteristics and the relative potency of the CSK bowling attack, it seemed as though he had to either hit out or get out. To be able to defend, they will need par-plus here.
Apr 3, 2026, 8:33 PM
Mhatre in a song
10.2: Vyshak hits a wide yorker flawlessly. For a run, Mhatre can only dab it into the off side.10.5: Vyshak tries the wide yorker once more. Mhatre is able to time it well enough to beat deep point to this left while steering it to the right of short third and backward point.
Hitting in class: In a very short amount of time, he solved a ball that the bowler believed to be a banker.
Apr 3, 2026, 8:19 PM
Fifty Mhatre
He has scored forty runs in boundaries. And the number continues to rise. In the ninth over, Marcus Stoinis is hammered.6 6 1w 1 2 1 0
Mhatre had 11 IPL sixes going into this match. Ten of them had strayed from the course. Tonight, he has increased both counts by five. He has the full support of a throng of thirty thousand. They yell, "CSK! CSK! CSK!"
CSK 94 for 1 Mhatre after nine overs: 59 off 32 balls, 4x4s, 5x6s
Other end: 3x4s, 27 in 22 balls
Apr 3, 2026, 8:12 PM
Calm Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed eight runs off five balls when CSK's second-wicket partnership reached fifty. Ayush Mhatre has scored 37 out of 23.
Apr 3, 2026, 8:07 PM
Mhatre versus pace
Ayush Mhatre's IPL strike rate of 193 versus pace.He's just faced pace today with the pitch up, so it seems sense that he is 29 off 19. Now that the powerplay is over and Yuzvendra Chahal will be starting, how will he perform? In the IPL, Mhatre's strike rate against spin is 131.82. In the IPL, he has actually only faced 22 spin deliveries, which may indicate that he wasn't quite constructing an innings to survive past the first six overs last season.
Apr 3, 2026, 7:55 PM
Bartlett vs. Mhatre
1 4 4 4 2 0In the first game, Mhatre was eliminated on the pull shot. Prior to this one, he continued honing his swivel pull as Hussey with the whanger continued to feed him short balls. Here, a small amount of that effort appears to be paying off early. The first two boundaries in the sequence were full balls that Mhatre had put away over mid-on to create that shift in length, so he deserves more credit for the third boundary, which was a confident swivel pull.
Apr 3, 2026, 7:49 PM
Samson has left
And there is a total silence on the ground. They had high expectations for their new hire. Someone who has successfully started IPLs in the past. However, Samson has scored a few single-digit runs this season, exposing a weakness against the moving ball. The wicket is taken by Xavier Bartlett, an outswinger who hits the keeper with a thick outside edge. When the ball is coming into the bat, Samson's strategy of simply standing and delivering works incredibly well. However, a small amount of sideways movement...Apr 3, 2026, 7:33 PM
Chepauk's Tifos
The spectators are unfolding their tifos as the players prepare to take the pitch. In one of them, a cartoon lion is heard saying "whistle podu." Yellove, says another. I can't quite make out a Dhoni tifo, or they're holding it for the player when he's ready to play.The cartoon lion would be overjoyed. As Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad approach the pitch, there are loud, full whistles from everyone on the ground.
Apr 3, 2026, 7:06 PM
Toss: bowl from Punjab
Chennai Super Kings: 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 3 Ayush Mhatre, 4 Sarfaraz Khan, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Kartik Sharma, 7 Prashant Veer, 8 Noor Ahmed, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Anshul Kamboj, 11 Khaleel Ahmed, 12 Jamie Overton/Rahul ChaharPunjab Kings: 1 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Shashank Singh, 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Xavier Bartlett, 9 Vijaykumar Vyshak, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal, 12 Priyansh Arya
Shreyas Iyer won the toss and decided to bowl on a pitch that was predicted to be loaded with runs, continuing the previous trend of the Punjab Kings winning in Chepauk. At this venue, PBKS has defeated Chennai Super Kings in the previous three meetings. Priyansh Arya is expected to start as Impact Sub, while their starting lineup remains unaltered.
Prashant Veer, a 20-year-old left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder who the Chennai Super Kings purchased for INR 14.2 crore during auction, made his IPL debut. He joins Kartik Sharma, their other INR 14.2 crore acquisition. Matt Short has moved aside to make room for Veer. Given that CSK is batting first, it is unlikely that Short would participate. There are just two foreign players in CSK's starting lineup. Jamie Overton might be added as an impact substitute, bringing the total to three.
Despite attending the CSK nets on the eve of the game, MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis are still out due to side and calf injuries, respectively.
Apr 3, 2026, 6:52 PM
Check-in at Chepauk
From Chepauk, hello!The buzz around the ground has noticeably decreased. I wonder why. Almost everyone in the crowd is wearing a Dhoni shirt. A few Samsons were present as well. even a Shreyas and a Gaikwad. There are some heavy-duty players from last year's finalists, and tonight's pitch is probably going to be a 200 versus. 200 run fest. So fasten your seatbelt.
Apr 3, 2026, 6:19 PM
Apr 3, 2026, 5:27 PM
Apr 3, 2026, 5:06 PM
More importantly, Chahal is superior to their best player. In 12 innings, he has removed Sanju Samson five times for a mere 61 runs. In the IPL, no bowler has removed him more frequently.
Apr 3, 2026, 4:34 PM
In the IPL, eleven batsmen have achieved a century against CSK. At Chepauk, Marcus Stoinis is one of just two. Even while his position at No. 6 certainly keeps him from going that large, he should still feel good about himself as he walks into the stadium to try to put behind a duck in his season's opening game against the Gujarat Titans.
Apr 3, 2026, 4:09 PM
Chennai Super Kings: 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 3 Ayush Mhatre, 4 Matt Short, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Sarfaraz Khan/Prashant Veer, 7 Kartik Sharma, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Noor Ahmed, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Anshul Kamboj, 12 Khaleel Ahmed
When asked about Shreyas' hand, which sustained a blow while standing at the non-strikers' end during the previous game, PBKS assistant coach Brad Haddin responded, "No break." PBKS has improved since they were IPL finalists the previous year, according to Ricky Ponting. Cooper Connolly's success, as well as the fact that he was batting at number three and displacing Shreyas, who had such success there (360 runs at an average of 51.42 and a strike rate of 180.9), was evidence of their excellent work at the auction table. If Connolly and Marcus Stoinis can bowl, they have seven bowling options in addition to batting down to No. 8.
Punjab Kings: 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Xavier Bartlett, 10 Vijaykumar Vyshak, 11 Arshdeep Singh, 12 Yuzvendra Chahal
Apr 3, 2026, 3:29 PM
However, Punjab Kings are as adept at clearing the boundary. The opening batsmen, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, have smashed over half of their IPL career sixes during the powerplay. Shashank Singh was the equal second-highest six-hitter in the IPL 2025 death overs, while Shreyas Iyer brings the same brutal effectiveness to the middle overs.
In Chennai, PBKS is one of four IPL clubs who have won at least as many games as CSK (P9, W5, L4). In three consecutive visits to Chepauk, they have been on the winning side. CSK lost control of their stronghold last year (P6, W1, L5). Will they get it back this year?
"Let them make mistakes"
Gaikwad urges the youth of CSK to accept the pressure of the IPL. "This team is quite young when you look at it now. While there is enthusiasm, there are also significant differences between players with and without experience. Therefore, you have to let them make mistakes. You must give them the freedom to express themselves. Before the PBKS game, Gaikwad stated, "You have to make sure that they are in a good headspace."Apr 3, 2026, 5:27 PM
"Chetta" Super King
Chennai is preparing for the Samson era. There is already an unexplainable bond between Sanju Samson and CSK supporters, whether things work out or not.Apr 3, 2026, 5:06 PM
Samson versus Chahal?
The last time Yuzvendra Chahal faced CSK in Chennai, he scored a hat-trick. In IPL matches, he has taken 23 wickets at an economy rate of 7.1 against them.More importantly, Chahal is superior to their best player. In 12 innings, he has removed Sanju Samson five times for a mere 61 runs. In the IPL, no bowler has removed him more frequently.
Apr 3, 2026, 4:34 PM
In the spotlight
In his last ten IPL innings, Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored six runs in single digits. He is starting this season back at the top of the order with a new partner whose stature threatens his captaincy after missing a significant portion of the previous campaign due to injury. In their chats, Gaikwad stated that Samson wanted Gaikwad to continue as CSK's leader. However, that would rely on the outcome. Gaikwad had a great record at Chepauk, scoring 764 runs with a strike rate of 142 and an average of 50.9.In the IPL, eleven batsmen have achieved a century against CSK. At Chepauk, Marcus Stoinis is one of just two. Even while his position at No. 6 certainly keeps him from going that large, he should still feel good about himself as he walks into the stadium to try to put behind a duck in his season's opening game against the Gujarat Titans.
Apr 3, 2026, 4:09 PM
News about the team and probable XIIs
Despite having a long net, Dewald Brevis only faced throwdowns and hardly did anything but guard the ball while he healed from a side ailment. He's not likely to return. The middle order for CSK seems susceptible once more without him. It was CSK's first IPL opener without either Suresh Raina or MS Dhoni in the starting lineup. They will play in Chepauk for the third time without Dhoni on Friday.Chennai Super Kings: 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 3 Ayush Mhatre, 4 Matt Short, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Sarfaraz Khan/Prashant Veer, 7 Kartik Sharma, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Noor Ahmed, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Anshul Kamboj, 12 Khaleel Ahmed
When asked about Shreyas' hand, which sustained a blow while standing at the non-strikers' end during the previous game, PBKS assistant coach Brad Haddin responded, "No break." PBKS has improved since they were IPL finalists the previous year, according to Ricky Ponting. Cooper Connolly's success, as well as the fact that he was batting at number three and displacing Shreyas, who had such success there (360 runs at an average of 51.42 and a strike rate of 180.9), was evidence of their excellent work at the auction table. If Connolly and Marcus Stoinis can bowl, they have seven bowling options in addition to batting down to No. 8.
Punjab Kings: 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 3 Cooper Connolly, 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Xavier Bartlett, 10 Vijaykumar Vyshak, 11 Arshdeep Singh, 12 Yuzvendra Chahal
Apr 3, 2026, 3:29 PM
Is it possible for CSK to retake their stronghold?
The situation in Chennai is undoubtedly encouraging for CSK. They need a different type of batter because they have flattened out. Sanju Samson, for example, has smashed a six in Twenty20 matches this year once per eight balls.However, Punjab Kings are as adept at clearing the boundary. The opening batsmen, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, have smashed over half of their IPL career sixes during the powerplay. Shashank Singh was the equal second-highest six-hitter in the IPL 2025 death overs, while Shreyas Iyer brings the same brutal effectiveness to the middle overs.
In Chennai, PBKS is one of four IPL clubs who have won at least as many games as CSK (P9, W5, L4). In three consecutive visits to Chepauk, they have been on the winning side. CSK lost control of their stronghold last year (P6, W1, L5). Will they get it back this year?
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