It was a night of audacious strokeplay and unforgettable finishes in the IPL 2025, as Priyansh Arya lit up New Chandigarh with a blistering maiden century to help Punjab Kings down Chennai Super Kings, while Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh powered Lucknow Super Giants to a narrow four-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-scoring thriller at Eden Gardens.
The feeling is out of this world. Shreyas bhaiya told me to bat with intent. Even if I get out, there are no worries. I just play what I have in my mind.
Arya’s assault, laced with nine sixes and nine fours, laid the platform for Punjab Kings’ imposing total of 219/6. He was well supported by Shashank Singh (52*) and Marco Jansen (34*), giving the home side plenty to defend.
He was fearless and it was one of the top knocks I’ve seen in the IPL so far. When I spoke to him after the last game, he was a bit timid in his decision-making. Tonight, he backed his instincts and just kept going.
Chennai’s chase began brightly through Devon Conway (69) and Rachin Ravindra (36), but the innings lost momentum after Conway was retired out to inject urgency. Despite cameos from Shivam Dube (42) and M.S. Dhoni (27), CSK fell short by 18 runs, finishing at 201/5.
Earlier in the evening, across the country in Kolkata, LSG and KKR produced one of the most entertaining matches of the season. Lucknow racked up a massive 238/3 — their second-highest IPL total — with Marsh (81) and Pooran (87* off 36) smashing the KKR bowlers to all parts.
Pooran’s finishing act was particularly brutal, as he launched eight sixes and five fours, including a late onslaught that left Narine and Chakravarthy with figures to forget.
KKR responded in kind, racing to 90/1 in the Powerplay, with Ajinkya Rahane (61) and Venkatesh Iyer (45) leading the charge. But a clutch spell from LSG in the middle overs — including key strikes from Bishnoi, Thakur, and Akash Deep — turned the tide.
Andre Russell and Rinku Singh nearly pulled off a miracle, with Rinku hammering 38 off just 15 balls. Needing 23 off the final over, he brought it down to seven off the last ball, but could only manage a boundary, as LSG held on for a thrilling four-run win.
Brief Scores:
Punjab Kings 219/6 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 103, Shashank Singh 52*, Marco Jansen 34*; Khaleel Ahmed 2-45, Ravichandran Ashwin 2-48) Chennai Super Kings 201/5 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 69, Shivam Dube 42, Rachin Ravindra 36; Lockie Ferguson 2-40)
Punjab Kings won by 18 runs
Lucknow Super Giants 238/3 in 20 overs (Nicholas Pooran 87*, Mitchell Marsh 81; Harshit Rana 2-51) Kolkata Knight Riders 234/7 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 61, Venkatesh Iyer 45; Shardul Thakur 2-52, Akash Deep 2-55)
Lucknow Super Giants won by 4 runs.
