Punjab Kings handed Chennai Super Kings their fourth consecutive loss in IPL 2025, clinching an 18-run victory in Match 22. The spotlight was firmly on 24 year old Priyansh Arya, who stormed into the IPL with a record breaking 39 ball century the fastest by an uncapped Indian and fourth fastest in IPL history.
Arya’s explosive 103 off 42 balls laid the foundation for Punjab Kings’ imposing 219/6. He punished Chennai’s sloppy fielding capitalizing on two dropped chances to reach his century in just the 13th over. While Arya fell in the next over, his brutal onslaught had already done the damage.
He took R Ashwin for 28 runs off just 10 deliveries and unleashed fury on Matheesha Pathirana with a sequence of 6, 6 and a 4 that brought up his hundred. Arya’s fearless hitting saw him launch sixes off full tosses, short balls and even near yorkers.
Priyansh Arya had been turning heads since smashing six sixes in an over during the Delhi Premier League. That moment had already put him on the radar of scouts and fans alike. Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting called him “a clean ball striker,” and Arya delivered on that promise in style.
Coming from North West Delhi’s Ashok Vihar, Arya’s rise has echoes of Delhi’s legendary openers Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhawan. Backed early on by Coach Sanjay Bharadwaj, Arya was never asked to curb his aggression. Bharadwaj saw the raw power and let it flourish. Even as a teen, Arya had the confidence to hit Amit Mishra for sixes during practice sessions.
He also shone in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 222 runs at a strike rate of 166.91, prompting R Ashwin to label him “my number one player” ahead of the IPL auction. It was Punjab Kings who won the bidding war, selling out ₹3.8 crore for the big-hitting left-hander. That bet has already started paying off.
Support Act and a Strong Finish
After Arya’s fireworks, Shashank Singh (52* off 28) and Marco Jansen (34* off 20) ensured Punjab crossed the 200-mark. Their late surge gave PBKS a total that looked slightly above par on a flat wicket.
Chennai’s chase started brightly with Conway and Ravindra adding 59 in the PowerPlay. Conway anchored the innings with 69 off 49 but surprisingly retired out with CSK needing 49 off 13 balls. Shivam Dube (42) provided a brief push, but the momentum fizzled out.
Despite having Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease, CSK couldn’t bridge the gap. Punjab’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs, sealing the contest by 18 runs.
Chennai’s inability to chase 180-plus totals has now stretched to 11 straight matches since 2020. Even at home, their famed middle order continues to falter under pressure.
Their fielding didn’t help either. Dropping five catches in a high-stakes game, including two off Arya, left them chasing the game throughout.
Tuesday night at Chepauk may be remembered less for the match result and more for Priyansh Arya’s coming-of-age innings. He didn’t just play a match-winning knock; he announced himself as India’s next big T20 prospect.
From Kotla to Chennai, from local leagues to IPL headlines, Arya’s journey has been anything but easy. But with a bat in hand and belief in his shots he’s shown the cricketing world what possible when raw talent meets the right moment.
One thing is clear Priyansh Arya isn’t here to warm the bench. He’s here to take over.
