Punjab's Arya Shines with Blistering Ton in 2025 IPL
Punjab Kings’ opener Priyansh Arya blazed his way to the second century of the 2025 Indian Premier League with an electrifying 103 off just 42 balls against Chennai Super Kings.
Despite wickets tumbling around him, the 24-year-old left-hander smashed nine sixes to reach his century in just 39 deliveries.
This achievement marked his hundred as the fourth-fastest in IPL history and the second-quickest by an Indian, trailing only Yusuf Pathan’s 37-ball century in 2010.
Arya set the tone by launching the first delivery of the match for a six over point and narrowly escaped being caught off the next ball by bowler Khaleel Ahmed.
He had further chances when dropped on 35 by Vijay Shankar’s diving attempt at backward point, and again on 74 when Mukesh Choudhary stepped on the boundary rope at long-off.
Nevertheless, Arya, participating in his debut IPL season, showcased a dazzling array of strokes, especially through the off-side, and joined the list of players hitting centuries this tournament alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ishan Kishan.
Powering to his half-century in a mere 19 balls, Arya targeted seamer Matheesha Pathirana, smashing him for three back-to-back sixes to further accelerate.
He was eventually dismissed at long-on during the 14th over but had significantly propelled the score to 154-6.
Shashank Singh contributed an unbeaten 52, pushing Punjab’s total to a formidable 219-6.
Arya’s remarkable innings followed a first-ball duck against England’s Jofra Archer in Punjab’s previous game.
Previously an India Under-19 stalwart, Arya gained attention last year for hitting six sixes in a single over in the Delhi Premier League.
His timely century last December, scoring 102 from 43 balls against Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s premier domestic T20 contest below IPL, paved the way for his IPL selection just before the 2025 mega auction.
This triggered a bidding frenzy between Punjab, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru for his services, resulting in his acquisition for approximately £350,000 (3.80 crore rupees).
Arya impressed during pre-season practice overseen by coach Ricky Ponting, earning his spot in the lineup.
“In our first practice match, after just eight balls, we all exchanged nods of agreement that he had to make the team,” reflected Punjab’s assistant coach Brad Haddin.
“He hit four or five sixes right off the bat and it was clear, ‘this guy is different’.”
Arya began the season with a promising 47 against Gujarat Titans but struggled briefly with an eight against Lucknow Super Giants and the golden duck facing Archer’s Rajasthan Royals.
“Afterwards, he just brushed it off saying, ‘I got a good one’,” Haddin commented regarding the Archer dismissal.
“That’s exactly the attitude you want. You want these young players to fearlessly embrace their game.
“The way he bounced back from a first-ball duck was truly commendable.”