New Delhi: Ayush Mhatre slammed a sensational half-century as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) posted 209/5 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter on Friday. Invited to bat first in Chepauk, Kerala batter Sanju Samson flopped for the second straight time in IPL 2026 after getting dismissed for 7 off 7.
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (28) and Mhatre (73) later steadied the ship for the Super Kings stitching a powerful stand of 96 runs for the second wicket before the skipper was sent back to the pavilion. Kartik Sharma was the next batter to go for just 1 run as Mhatre continued his brilliance at the other end, smashing 5 sixes and 6 boundaries in the process.
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Mhatre scripts multiple feats
The talented player became the youngest batter to score a half-century in the IPL at Chepauk while also becoming the third batter with most 50-plus scores in IPL before turning 19. He also registered the third highest score in the IPL before attaining 19 years of age. Meanwhile, after he was dismissed by the Punjab side, hard-hitting player Shivam Dube continued from where the teenager had left.
Dube remained unbeaten on 45 off 27 balls with one six and five boundaries to take CSK to a big total and in the process, he was helped ably by Sarfaraz Khan, who was out after a blistering 12-ball 32-run knock.
For Punjab, Vijaykumar Vyshak claimed two wickets while Xavier Bartlett, Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed one wicket each to contribute. This was the┬аsixth instance of CSK scoring 200+ against PBKS in IPL. While the Super Kings would be chasing their first victory this season, Punjab will look for their second straight win.