CSK vs PBKS Highlights, IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer shines as Punjab Kings beat CSK by five wickets
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 04, 2026, 00:28:27 IST
Share

CSK vs PBKS Highlights, IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer shines as Punjab Kings beat CSK by five wickets

CSK vs PBKS Highlights, IPL 20266: Skipper Shreyas Iyer's half-century draped in elegance and aggression in equal measure was the centrepiece in Punjab Kings' five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match here on Friday.

Shreyas (50, 29 balls) and his 59-run alliance with Nehal Wadhera for the fourth wicket helped Punjab end up at 210 for five while chasing a competitive 209 on a dew-less Chepauk night, also consigning the hosts to their second successive defeat.

It was Punjab’s second win on the trot, but there were other heroes too on the night for the PBKS.

Chasing a target at a run-rate closer to 11 required consistent and calm run-making and that was what PBKS precisely did through their top-order, with just about everyone chipping in.

Priyansh Arya (39, 11 balls), Prabhsimran Singh (43, 34b), Cooper Connolly (36, 22b) all came up with mentionable contributions.

Arya was quite brutal while vandalising CSK attack — Khaleel Ahmed was put away for a 4 and six while Matt Henry was dispatched for 4, 6, 4 in his first over that leaked 20 runs.

Arya and Prabhsimran cracked 61 runs in just 4.2 overs that gave a strong portend to the route the match was taking.

The Delhi batter was cleaned up by Henry to give a token relief to CSK, but none was more significant in PBKS’s march than their skipper Shreyas, who unfurled his full range of shots.

Shreyas started a bit slow reaching 8 off 9 balls, as Connolly was doing the bulk of the work. But once the Australian fell to Anshul Kamboj, Shreyas took over the chase.

As expected, he hammered the spinners, and the shot of the innings was an inside-out six off leg-spinner Rahul Chahar.

Shreyas brought up his fifty in 26 balls with a boundary off Kamboj, but soon fell to the bowler, chasing a wide delivery.

Wadhera fell in the first ball of the next over to Henry as PBKS slipped to 186 for five from 186 for three.

However, that proved a minor aberration.
18:50 (IST) Apr 03
PBKS vs CSK Live Score: Chahal leads spin effort for PBKS
Yuzvendra Chahal made an impact in the first match with his variations, controlling the middle overs and taking key wickets. His role will again be important against CSK, especially on a surface that could assist spin. Alongside him, Punjab Kings have options like Harpreet Brar, who was not part of the playing 12 in the last game. The team management may look to include him to strengthen their bowling combination. With spin likely to play a role, PBKS will rely on their bowlers to maintain pressure through the middle overs.
18:28 (IST) Apr 03
IPL Score: Punjab Kings build momentum
Punjab Kings come into this match after a win over Gujarat Titans and will look to carry that momentum forward. The team has shown signs of balance under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and guidance of coach Ricky Ponting. Their batting lineup found support in Cooper Connolly, who played a key role at number three in the previous game.

Despite a middle-order wobble, PBKS managed to complete the chase, and the team will now aim for a more complete performance. Early consistency could help PBKS establish themselves as strong contenders this season.
18:15 (IST) Apr 03
CSK vs PBKS Live Score: Brevis fitness remains a concern for CSK
Chennai Super Kings are still awaiting clarity on Dewald Brevis, who missed the opening game due to a side strain. His absence was felt during the batting collapse against Rajasthan Royals, and his availability remains uncertain for this match. Brevis is seen as a key part of the batting lineup, and his return would add depth and balance. Without him, CSK will have to depend more on their existing options to deliver. The team management will be monitoring his recovery closely, as his presence could make a difference in upcoming games.
17:58 (IST) Apr 03
PBKS vs CSK Live Score: Sanju Samson eyes impact on home debut
Sanju Samson, one of CSK’s key signings this season, had a short outing in his debut match for the Men-in-Yellow. He will now be looking to make a stronger impact in front of the Chennai crowd. With expectations high, Samson’s role in the top order becomes important, especially on a pitch that could favour batters. His ability to stabilise innings or accelerate when needed will be closely watched. After a start that did not go as planned, this game presents an opportunity for him to settle into the team and contribute in a meaningful way. CSK will rely on his experience to strengthen their batting lineup.
17:40 (IST) Apr 03
PBKS vs CSK Live Score: MS Dhoni’s presence could boost CSK camp
MS Dhoni did not travel to Guwahati due to a calf strain, but he could return to the dugout for this game. Even if he is not playing, his presence could provide support to captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni has often played a key role in guiding the team from behind the scenes, and his experience could help CSK regroup after their opening loss.

With a relatively younger squad this season, having someone like Dhoni around could make a difference in decision-making and overall team approach. The team management will hope his return, even in a limited capacity, can provide some stability as CSK look to get their campaign back on track.
17:23 (IST) Apr 03
IPL Score: CSK aim for turnaround at home
Chennai Super Kings will be looking to improve significantly in all departments after their opening loss. The defeat against RR in Guwahati exposed gaps in both batting and bowling, and the team will be keen to avoid a similar performance in front of their home crowd.

The Chennai pitch, based on how it behaved during the recent T20 World Cup, is expected to be good for batting, which could help CSK’s lineup. With a squad that now includes several younger players, the team will need contributions across the board. The emphasis will be on getting the basics right, especially after a match where very little went in their favour. A strong showing here could help reset their campaign early.
17:05 (IST) Apr 03
CSK vs PBKS Live Score: CSK’s top-order woes
With MS Dhoni’s availability still uncertain, all eyes will now be on World Cup hero Sanju Samson. In the wicketkeeper-batter, CSK have a proven performer who can steady the ship. But in the opener against RR, Samson and Ruturaj, opening together, didn’t get going — both managing just six runs. It wasn’t just the two who faltered. A batting line-up built around six-hitters crumbled against Rajasthan, with Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube all failing to fire.

With little experience to call upon lower down, the CSK batting line-up looked like a fish out of water. Lower-order allrounder Jamie Overton was the lone bright spot as CSK limped to 127. However, Ruturaj came out strongly in favour of youngsters. “It’s a new, young group; they will learn slowly. The more games they get, they’ll get better,” said Ruturaj.
16:36 (IST) Apr 03
There was a time when taking on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was a daunting task for the visiting IPL teams. Over the past year, the fortress has slowly begun to lose its fangs.

The five-time champions, who managed just one win in six outings at Chepauk last season, hope to get off the blocks and banish those demons when they face a confident Punjab Kings in their first home fixture here on Friday. Their last memory at this venue is a four-wicket defeat to the same opponent.

After finishing with the wooden spoon last year, CSK — featuring a crop of youngsters in their ranks — will look to restore some of the old Chepauk magic. Earlier this week, CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, were steamrolled by Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati by eight wickets in their season opener.
16:18 (IST) Apr 03
IPL Score 2026 Live: CSK vs PBKS Head-to-Head

  • Matches played: 32
  • KKR won: 16
  • SRH won: 16
  • No result: 0


CSK vs PBKS Last Five Matches:



  • PBKS won by 18 runs at New Chandigarh - 2025
  • PBKS won by 4 wickets at Chennai - 2025
  • PBKS won by 7 wickets at Chennai - 2024
  • CSK won by 28 runs at Dharamsala - 2024
  • PBKS won by 4 wickets at Chennai - 2023

16:17 (IST) Apr 03
IPL Score: Predicted Playing XIs
Chennai Super Kings Predicted XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry

Impact sub: Sarfaraz Khan

Punjab Kings Predicted XI: Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak

Impact sub: Yuzvendra Chahal
15:50 (IST) Apr 03
PBKS vs CSK Live Score: Shreyas Iyer likely to play
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings have an air of positive energy around them after starting the campaign with a three-wicket win against Gujarat Titans. But there was a bit of a worry around skipper Shreyas Iyer’s fitness, after he was hit in the wrist. However, assistant coach Brad Haddin said that Iyer is fit to play. “No break. So that’s a good thing. Now, it’s just about getting the swelling down and getting the movement back in the hand,” Haddin said.

7 - Punjab Kings have won seven out of the last eight fixtures contested vs CSK. Their tally includes five in succession between Oct 7, 2021 and May 1, 2024. CSK’s only win during this period was by 28 runs at Dharamshala on May 5, 2024.
15:50 (IST) Apr 03
CSK vs PBKS Live Score: CSK’s top-order woes
With MS Dhoni’s availability still uncertain, all eyes will now be on World Cup hero Sanju Samson. In the wicketkeeper-batter, CSK have a proven performer who can steady the ship. But in the opener against RR, Samson and Ruturaj, opening together, didn’t get going — both managing just six runs.

It wasn’t just the two who faltered. A batting line-up built around six-hitters crumbled against Rajasthan, with Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Kartik Sharma and Shivam Dube all failing to fire. With little experience to call upon lower down, the CSK batting line-up looked like a fish out of water. Lower-order allrounder Jamie Overton was the lone bright spot as CSK limped to 127.

However, Ruturaj came out strongly in favour of youngsters. “It’s a new, young group; they will learn slowly. The more games they get, they’ll get better,” said Ruturaj.
15:47 (IST) Apr 03
IPL Live Score: CSK host PBKS at home
Welcome to Times Of India's live coverage of the IPL 2026 match 7 between Chennai Super Kings (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Smarting from a heavy loss at the hands of Rajasthan Royals, Chennai super Kings will be aiming to secure their first points in IPL 202 when they host Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram stadium, Chennai on Friday. With MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis sidelined due to injuries, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side will have to deal with an upbeat PBKS, who registered a close win over Gujarat Titans in the opening match.

CSK’s young batting had a tough outing on a lively Guwahati track, but come Chennai they might be at ease slightly with better batting conditions, while PBKS they will ride on the fact that they have won their last three fixtures at this venue and with likes of Cooper Connelly firing, PBKS will be looking to make it four in a row.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer's half-century draped in elegance and aggression in equal measure was the centrepiece in Punjab Kings' five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match here on Friday.

Shreyas (50, 29 balls) and his 59-run alliance with Nehal Wadhera for the fourth wicket helped Punjab end up at 210 for five while chasing a competitive 209 on a dew-less Chepauk night, also consigning the hosts to their second successive defeat.

It was Punjab’s second win on the trot, but there were other heroes too on the night for the PBKS.

Chasing a target at a run-rate closer to 11 required consistent and calm run-making and that was what PBKS precisely did through their top-order, with just about everyone chipping in.

Priyansh Arya (39, 11 balls), Prabhsimran Singh (43, 34b), Cooper Connolly (36, 22b) all came up with mentionable contributions.

Arya was quite brutal while vandalising CSK attack — Khaleel Ahmed was put away for a 4 and six while Matt Henry was dispatched for 4, 6, 4 in his first over that leaked 20 runs.

Arya and Prabhsimran cracked 61 runs in just 4.2 overs that gave a strong portend to the route the match was taking.

The Delhi batter was cleaned up by Henry to give a token relief to CSK, but none was more significant in PBKS’s march than their skipper Shreyas, who unfurled his full range of shots.

Shreyas started a bit slow reaching 8 off 9 balls, as Connolly was doing the bulk of the work. But once the Australian fell to Anshul Kamboj, Shreyas took over the chase.

As expected, he hammered the spinners, and the shot of the innings was an inside-out six off leg-spinner Rahul Chahar.

Shreyas brought up his fifty in 26 balls with a boundary off Kamboj, but soon fell to the bowler, chasing a wide delivery.

Wadhera fell in the first ball of the next over to Henry as PBKS slipped to 186 for five from 186 for three.

However, that proved a minor aberration.