Punjab Kings’ openers Priyansh Arya took the IPL 2025 clash against Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, April 8 by storm with a mind-boggling century. The 24-year old scored a blistering 103 runs off just 42 balls at Mullanpur and hit 7 fours and 9 sixes in the process. His explosive innings helped Punjab post a mammoth total of 219/6 before CSK fell short at 201/5 to concede an 18-run win.
Priyansh didn’t only steal the show with his bat — he made history as well. His was the fastest century in the IPL by anyone who is yet to play in the senior internationals (including his maiden Tes), at 39 balls. His 30-ball blitz is second only to the legendary Chris Gayle — who holds the record with a 30-ball blitz back in 2013 — among Indian players. Unsurprisingly, Priyansh was named Player of the Match.
“I can’t even find the words — like, I’m buzzing inside,” Priyansh said after the game. Shreyas Iyer asked me in the last match to back my instinct. He said, ‘Play your way.’ So I was like, if the first ball is there to hit, I’m hitting it for six. I just wanted it to be natural and not to hold back.”
And the fun didn’t end with the win. Punjab Kings on Wednesday posted a cheeky video connecting the dots between Priyansh’s heroics and the legendary stature of CSK old guard MS Dhoni. “By how many runs did we win?” asked the spinner Harpreet Brar, clearly relishing the moment. The answer: 18. The camera then panned in on Priyansh’s jersey — number 18. “18 for a reason,” Harpreet smiled. He wasn’t done. “And if 1 out of 8 leaves, who’s left?” He raised seven fingers, a reference to Dhoni’s legendary jersey number 7 and to the viral “Thala for a Reason” fad that is a subject of meme-making frenzy among fans. It’s a stretch, certainly, but it’s the kind of playful association that gets social media all abuzz.
Sheran da Hukum! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/oJzxucW9GW
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 9, 2025
Punjab’s bowlers supported Priyansh’s brilliance, Harpreet himself contributing to preventing CSK from getting their runs. For a team that has had its share of highs and lows, this win — and Priyansh’s rise to stardom — feels like a turning point. At 24, he’s showing he has the grit and the game to set IPL 2025 ablaze.
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