Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings, Mullanpur – IPL 2025
Punjab Kings 219-6 (20 overs): Arya 103 (42)
Chennai Super Kings 201-5 (20 overs): Conway 69 (49); Ferguson 2-40
Punjab Kings won by 18 runs
The IPL 2025 continues to deliver fireworks, and this time it was Punjab Kings' rising star Priyansh Arya who lit up the stadium with a blistering knock of 103 off just 42 balls, securing an 18-run victory over Chennai Super Kings.
The 24-year-old left-hander, playing in his debut IPL season, smashed nine sixes, reaching his century in only 39 balls. His incredible innings now stands as the joint fourth-fastest century in IPL history and the second-fastest by an Indian, just behind Yusuf Pathan's iconic 37-ball ton in 2010.
A Knock to Remember
Arya set the tone from the first delivery, lofting the ball for six over point. Despite being given multiple lifelines—dropped on 0, 35, and 74—he showed no mercy to the bowlers. He tore apart Chennai’s attack, especially targeting Matheesha Pathirana for three consecutive sixes after reaching his half-century in only 19 balls.
He was eventually dismissed in the 14th over, but not before taking Punjab to 154-6. Shashank Singh added a valuable unbeaten 52 to power the total to a formidable 219-6.
Chennai, despite a valiant effort from Devon Conway (69) and a late surge from MS Dhoni, fell short, ending on 201-5. This marked their fourth consecutive loss in the ongoing IPL 2025 schedule.
Who is Priyansh Arya?
While many fans only discovered Arya after this explosive innings, his cricketing journey has been one to watch. A former India U-19 player, he rose to prominence in 2024 by hitting six sixes in a single over during a Delhi Premier League match.
His breakthrough came during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he struck a timely 102 off 43 balls for Delhi—just a day before the IPL auction 2025 date. That performance triggered a fierce bidding war during the IPL auction 2025, with Punjab Kings eventually signing him for approximately ₹3.80 crore (£350,000). He was one of the most talked-about names on the IPL auction 2025 players list.
Arya immediately impressed in pre-season practice games, earning high praise from assistant coach Brad Haddin:
"After eight balls in the first practice match, we all agreed—he had to play. His hitting was just different."
Arya’s IPL journey began with a promising 47 against Gujarat Titans, followed by a modest eight and a golden duck. But his response to setbacks, like being bowled first ball by Jofra Archer, impressed the team’s management.
"He walked off and said, ‘I got a good one.’ That’s the mentality we want—fearless cricket," said Haddin.
What's Next in IPL 2025?
With Punjab now among the top five teams with six points, and Chennai struggling at the bottom, fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming matches in the IPL 2025 schedule. If Arya continues his form, he could become one of the standout players of the season—and one of the biggest success stories to emerge from the IPL auction 2025.
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