Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) performed one of the most explosive goals of IPL 2026. The match witnessed young heroes and fearless cricket as Punjab Kings (PBKS) stunned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on their own ground by successfully chasing a mammoth target of 210.
After Punjab Kings’ impressive win over five-time champions CSK on their home ground, former England superstar Kevin Pietersen has heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer and described him as one of the most exciting leaders this season.
Teenage sensation Ayush Mhatre leads CSK to big score
After being asked to bat first by the touring team, Chennai Super Kings posted a strong total of 209/5 on the board at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The star of the night was Ayush Mhatre, who played a brilliant inning of 73 runs in 43 balls and kept Punjab under pressure in the middle overs.
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The 18-year-old batsman played both smart and aggressive cricket, ensuring that CSK never fell behind at the required rate. Later, Shivam Dubey remained unbeaten on 45 off 27, and Sarfaraz Khan’s 32 off 12 helped the home team post a strong score.
Priyansh Arya’s brilliance and Shreyas Iyer’s class seal IPL 2026 game for PBKS
PBKS’s chase started with pure madness from Priyansh Arya, who scored 39 runs off just 11 balls. His power-hitting set the stage for an entertaining night in Chennai. And then came another excellent performance from none other than Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer.
He scored 50 runs in 29 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes to ensure that there was no problem in chasing the target. The right-handed player’s cool mind and aggressive mentality allowed the young players around him to express themselves freely. PBKS achieved the target in 18.4 overs.
I turn on TV to watch him: Kevin Pietersen praises Iyer
After PBKS’ five-wicket win over CSK, Kevin Pietersen highly praised Shreyas Iyer’s performance and personality as a leader. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) on April 3: “Shreyas is really some player. I turn on the TV to watch him.”
Shreyas is really some player.
i turn on the tv to watch him– Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) 3 April 2026
Before the current season began, Pietersen left his mentoring role at Delhi Capitals and returned to full-time commentary. Now he is having a good time in the commentary box.
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Shreyas Iyer reveals PBKS’ new mantra for IPL 2026
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer talked about the mindset he wants his team to maintain in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. He said that PBKS players have started focusing on motivating each other inside the dressing room.
The captain said that the team is no longer looking for accolades on social media or from experts, rather they want to earn the respect of their teammates, trust each other and motivate each other to do better and this has been the real secret of their success so far this season.
“To be honest, it’s not planned, but we have decided in the dressing room that no matter what happens, we are going to play the kind of cricket which is about impressing each other and not people outside. So, it also gives us a certain kind of clarity when we think about the game,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation ceremony in Chennai.