IPL 2026 Points table: PBKS lead after 5-wicket win vs CSK, Chennai struggle continues

Punjab Kings continued their strong start to the Indian Premier League 2026 with a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in a high-scoring contest at the M. Chidambaram Stadium.

After opting to bowl, Punjab were put under early pressure as Chennai recovered from an early setback. Sanju Samson fell for 7, but skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre steadied the innings with a 96-run partnership off 55 balls. Mhatre led the charge with an impressive 73 off 43 balls, while Gaikwad contributed 28 before being dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal.

Despite losing both set batters in quick succession, Chennai maintained momentum in the death overs. Shivam Dube struck an unbeaten 45 off 27 balls, while Sarfaraz Khan added a quickfire 32 off 12 deliveries, powering the hosts to a formidable 209/5.


For Punjab, Chahal delivered an economical spell of 1/21, while Vijaykumar Vyshak picked up two key wickets.

IPL 2026 points table

Position	Team	P	W	L	NR	Points	NRR
1	PBKS	2	2	0	0	4	+0.637
2	RR	1	1	0	0	2	+4.171
3	RCB	1	1	0	0	2	+2.907
4	DC	1	1	0	0	2	+1.397
5	MI	1	1	0	0	2	+0.687
6	SRH	2	1	1	0	2	+0.469
7	GT	1	0	1	0	0	-0.509
8	LSG	1	0	1	0	0	-1.397
9	KKR	2	0	2	0	0	-1.964
10	CSK	2	0	2	0	0	-2.562

In reply, Punjab got off to a flying start, led by Priyansh Arya, who smashed 39 off just 11 balls, including five boundaries in his first six deliveries. The visitors raced to 55 without loss in four overs before Arya was dismissed by Matt Henry.

Prabhsimran Singh anchored the innings with 43 off 34 balls, while Cooper Connolly chipped in with 38 off 22. Skipper Shreyas Iyer then guided the chase with a composed 50 off 29 balls, keeping Punjab ahead of the required rate.

Chennai attempted a late comeback with a couple of quick wickets, but Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh ensured there were no further setbacks, sealing the chase with 17 balls to spare.

Henry (2/54) and Anshul Kamboj (2/43) were the only wicket-takers for Chennai on a difficult night.

Arya was named Player of the Match for his explosive start, which laid the foundation for Punjab’s second consecutive win, while Chennai remain without a victory this season.