"Exceptional start for us": Shreyas Iyer credits PBKS openers after dominant win over CSK in IPL 2026

The crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster ride on Friday night as Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings displayed some quality hitting in both innings of the contest. The clash of the 'Kings' concluded thrillingly as neither side was ready to leave a single inch of the ground. But, in the end, it is the Punjab Kings who got a heroic win in Chennai against CSK.

The match was full of events and moments that ultimately fixed the direction of the momentum. The knocks from Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, and from the PBKS' end, the impact brought by Priyansh Arya, the run out of Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer's leadership with the— these all are the exciting turns in the contest.

A rollercoaster ride at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday

In the first innings of the match, it was the Chennai Super Kings who went to bat first after losing the toss. Sanju Samson again disappointed his fans as he scored only runs. PBKS got the early breakthrough.

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The joy for the team was short-lived as the CSK skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ayush Mhatre pulled the team out of the mud and stitched a needful partnership. From the middle-order, it was Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube who were spectacular with their batting parts, especially Sarfaraz, with his delicate touch using the flexible wrists.

PBKS took off instantly while chasing a target of 210. Priyansh Arya, the impact player, scored 39 runs in 11 balls. Prabhsimran scored 36 while Cooper Connolly, who came as a number 3 batter for today's match, got 36 runs.

Another captain's knock by Shreyas Iyer

If the explosive cameo of Arya was the starter of the PBKS batting part, captain Shreyas Iyer brought the cherry to garnish the team effort. Iyer's half-century confirmed the win for Punjab. Two wins in two matches for the Punjab Kings, and two defeats in two games for the Chennai Super Kings.

PBKS accomplished the run chase in 18.4 overs and had 5 more wickets in hand. Shreyas Iyer and his team claimed the win based on a pure team effort. On the other side, Chennai Super Kings performed well with their bat, but might have lacked quality in their bowling.

Priyansh and Prab doing the job- Shreyas Iyer

"I think that was an exceptional start for us. Priyansh and Prab doing the job at the start and then setting the bench for us going inside. And I personally feel that the way they've been batting over years now, it's phenomenal to see them giving us that start and it stabilizes the rhythm for us. Yes, absolutely. I'm glad that everyone is getting to bat in the first two games itself," Shreyas Iyer said in the presentation ceremony.

"That gives immense confidence for the team as well. So that, you know, whenever we are stuck in a pressure situation, people are aware of how to handle it.

"We've just decided in the dressing room that whatever happens, we are going to play a brand of cricket which is to impress each other, not others outside. So, you know, that gives us a certain sort of clarity as well when we approach the game," he added.

Read More: IPL Points Table 2026: Updated Standings, Orange Cap, Purple Cap After CSK vs PBKS Match 7