![\"'Playing](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130008710,imgsize-46838,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/shreyas-iyer-bcci-photo.jpg\" "\\"Shreyas")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Punjab Kings continued their strong start in IPL 2026 with a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings<\/a>, thanks to a captain\u2019s knock from Shreyas Iyer<\/a> and a solid team effort. Chasing a big target of 210, PBKS stayed calm under pressure and got over the line with eight balls to spare, handing CSK their second straight loss.CSK had earlier posted 209\/5 after being put in to bat. Young Ayush Mhatre led the charge with an impressive 73, while Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube added quick runs towards the end to push the total past 200. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Ajinkya Rahane press conference: KKR captain backs bowlers, hits back at SR critics<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A key partnership between Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad helped build the innings, though PBKS pulled things back with timely wickets.In reply, Punjab got off to a flying start with Priyansh Arya smashing 39 off just 11 balls. Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly chipped in with useful contributions, keeping the chase on track. When pressure built, skipper Shreyas Iyer stepped up, scoring a composed half-century and controlling the game with smart shot selection. Later, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis finished the job comfortably.<\/p>\n After the match, Iyer revealed the team\u2019s mindset, adding, \u201cWell, it’s not planned, honestly speaking, but we’ve just decided in the dressing room that whatever happens, we are going to play a brand of cricket which is to impress each other, not others outside.\u201dHe praised the strong start, saying, \u201cPriyansh and Prab doing the job at the start\u2026 it’s phenomenal to see them giving us that start and it stabilizes the rhythm for us.\u201dOn Arya\u2019s explosive innings, he added, \u201cAbsolutely. I mean, getting 39 out of 11 balls, that’s the start we require, especially when you’re chasing 208.\u201dExplaining his bowling choices, Iyer said, \u201cAnd usually we know how impressive he is over the years. And he’s probably one of the best bowlers in the IPL<\/a> so far. So whenever I’m in doubt, I do that.\u201dPunjab\u2019s clear mindset and teamwork have now put them at the top of the table.<\/div>\n\n\u2018Playing to impress each other\u2019<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n