Chennai, April 4 (NationPress) Head coach Ricky Ponting praised the opening duo of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for establishing a solid foundation during their successful chase and commended the bowling attack following their victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the seventh match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.

Ponting remarked that the opening partnership was instrumental in achieving the target of 210 runs in just 18.4 overs on a pitch favoring high scores.

“It was an excellent display of cricket; the right team emerged victorious. The run chase was impressive, and I felt confident at the halfway mark. When we look back, it was a fantastic pitch. I’m genuinely pleased that our bowling group explored nearly every possible strategy,” Ponting stated in a video shared by PBKS.

He specifically lauded the aggressive approach taken by openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, enabling the team to maintain the required run rate from the outset, as they amassed 55 runs within the first four overs.

“Priyansh, that was some of the finest ball striking I’ve ever witnessed. Although Prabh, you might feel a bit dissatisfied with your performance tonight, remember, you should keep playing your game. You still scored 43 off 34 balls in a remarkable opening partnership, which truly set the tone for our victory,” he added.

Ponting expressed that the early momentum boosted his confidence in the batting lineup during the chase. He also praised Cooper Connolly for his stellar performance.

“Koop's (Cooper Connolly) performance was outstanding again. His approach during the run chase showed that when targeting 210 runs, one must indeed take risks. However, after the first six overs, my worries faded; I had immense faith in this batting group and our strategy,” Ponting remarked.

He emphasized the bowlers' contributions in this high-scoring match, noting their ability to keep the team competitive despite the favorable pitch for batting. Ponting commended Yuzvendra Chahal, who conceded just 21 runs while taking a crucial wicket.

“I believe our victory stemmed from that. Bowling in such a high-scoring match, UZI demonstrated why he’s the IPL's top wicket-taker, allowing only 21 runs in three overs. That speaks volumes, and I’m thrilled with our performance,” he stated.

Following their win against CSK, the PBKS, who were runners-up in 2025, are set to clash with the three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.