PBKS fire early warning to other teams, highlight their title credentials with demolition of CSK at Chepauk

The last time Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) had reached the final of the Indian Premier League before 2025, they had finished bottom of the table the very next year and would not reach the playoffs for a decade thereafter. With captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting at the helm however, PBKS have started believing in themselves once again, that they aren’t the underachievers that fans as well as experts had made them to be.

Punjab, after all, had topped the table last season and were on the verge of winning their maiden title when they suffered a heartbreak at the hands of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the the final in Ahmedabad.

More from First Cricket

Gaikwad admits 'lot to improve' in bowling unit as CSK fail to defend 209 against PBKS at Chepauk Clarke heaps praise on Ayush Mhatre after 'Virar Express' leads CSK's batting revival against PBKS: 'So much control'

Carrying on from where they left off

Unlike 2015, however, Punjab have proved that last year’s performance was by no means a one-off. They currently sit on top of the table with back-to-back wins, highlighting the fact that they aren’t a one-season wonder and are serious about conquering the final hurdle this year after falling narrowly short last summer.

And it’s the second of those two wins that highlights just how potent a force the Punjab Kings are, and why they will be a force to be reckoned with in the 19th IPL season.

PBKS needed an extra-ordinary knock from debutant Cooper Connolly to register a scratchy three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans in their season-opening clash in Mullanpur.

Against five-time champions CSK, however, they couldn't have asked for a more clinical chase, that too after being set a challenging 210 to win at a venue that is considered a ‘Fortress’ for the ‘Yellow Army’.

Quick Reads

View All

'Don’t bring BCCI administration...': Sivaramakrishnan issues clarification a day after 'colour discrimination' claim

India-Pakistan match: Deep passion, visa-free travel drives Colombo airfare spike

Things could have gone massively wrong for Punjab had Connolly not fired in his maiden IPL appearance on Tuesday. Against Chennai, however, the team’s batting unit fired in unison to ensure that 210 was chased down with more than an over to spare despite experiencing a mid-innings wobble.

Punjab conquer CSK’s fortress once again 

The opening pair of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh got their team off to a dream start, stitching together a 61-run stand in a little over four overs. Arya, who had a breakthrough season with the Kings last year, highlighted his potential as a future India opener in the 20-over format with a knock of 39 off just 11 deliveries, his strike rate of 354.55 deeming him worthy for the Player of the Match award.

Gen Next star Priyansh Arya saw it early, and absolutely smashed it over mid-wicket 💥

Apne smart TV ke JioHotstar app pe dekhiye Champions waali commentary LIVE💥#TATAIPL 2026 | #CSKvPBKS | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/V7g8urYvEn pic.twitter.com/sBSHINRWPt

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 3, 2026

Captain Iyer (50 off 29) and Connolly (36 off 22) would simply carry on from where the openers left off, the former smashing four fours and three sixes and striking at 172 in the middle overs to send the Indian team management another reminder why he deserves a place in the T20I side despite the intense competition for slots.

The foundation laid by the top-four ensured that Punjab got home with consummate ease despite losing a couple of wickets close to the finish line.

With the victory, Punjab have also highlighted how they thrive when it comes to tense situations, having successfully chased down 200-plus targets nine times over the years – three more than five-time champions Mumbai Indians, who are second on the list.

𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙠 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 ✅@PunjabKingsIPL's dominance 🆚 #CSK in Chennai continues ❤️🥳

Match Highlights ▶️ https://t.co/ojqMEgvuMc #TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvPBKS pic.twitter.com/dtbfRHf4El

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 3, 2026

They have also beaten CSK at ‘Fortress Chepauk’ for the fourth consecutive time and enjoy a 7-1 record against them in their last eight meetings.

These numbers certainly do make for an impressive reading and also serve as a warning for other teams hoping to lift the glittering trophy later this summer.