Preity Zinta, Priyansh Arya reach out to fan injured by six at PBKS-LSG match
Synopsis
When a six off Priyansh Arya's bat struck a 62-year-old spectator at the PBKS-LSG match, it triggered a swift franchise response. Preity Zinta and Arya's personal video call with the injured fan, coupled with an invitation to Dharamshala and a promised helmet, shows how IPL franchises are now embedding duty-of-care into their brand narrative — turning incident management into fan loyalty.
Key Takeaways
Preity Zinta and Priyansh Arya video-called Krishan Chand , 62 , injured during PBKS vs LSG on 19 April at New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh .
A six off Arya's bat struck Chand in the face during the 4th over ; he received stitches at a clinic.
Chand is in stable condition and on the road to recovery.
Punjab Kings invited him to a future match at Dharamshala with a helmet provided.
PBKS lead the IPL standings with one loss in eight games.
Preity Zinta, co-owner of Punjab Kings, and opener Priyansh Arya connected via video call with Krishan Chand, a 62-year-old spectator struck by a six during the PBKS vs Lucknow Super Giants fixture on 19 April at the New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. The franchise extended a personal invitation for Chand to attend a future match at Dharamshala, with Zinta promising a helmet to ensure his safety upon return.
How the incident unfolded
In the 4th over of the match, a six struck off Arya's bat sailed into the Harbhajan Stand A and struck Chand on the face, causing bleeding. He was immediately attended to at the Spectator Medical Point before being transferred via ambulance to a nearby clinic. Chand's son, a doctor, accompanied him and ensured he received stitches for the injury.
Franchise response and recovery update
Chand is in stable condition and progressing well in his recovery. Ashish Tuli, General Manager - Cricket Operations at Punjab Kings, joined the video call alongside Zinta and Arya, underscoring the franchise's collective commitment to the spectator's wellbeing. The personal outreach reflects a broader duty-of-care approach increasingly adopted by IPL franchises following crowd safety incidents.
The invitation and next steps
During the call, Zinta extended an invitation for Chand to watch PBKS play at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. She confirmed a helmet would be provided, allowing him to enjoy the match without apprehension. Notably, this proactive engagement — combining injury follow-up with fan retention — has become standard practice for leading franchises in the league.
PBKS season standing
Punjab Kings currently sit atop the IPL standings with just one loss in eight games. Shreyas Iyer's side will face Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening, continuing their strong campaign.
Point of View
A promised helmet, a future-match invitation — signals a shift in how IPL teams handle crowd safety incidents. Where once such events were managed via insurance claims and standard protocols, they're now opportunities for brand engagement. That said, the gesture does not obscure a structural question: how many other spectators are injured at cricket stadiums without franchise follow-up? The outlier here is not the injury; it's the visibility.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Krishan Chand during the PBKS-LSG match?
A six off Priyansh Arya's bat struck Krishan Chand, a 62-year-old spectator, in the face during the 4th over on 19 April at the New International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh. He was treated at the Spectator Medical Point and later transferred to a clinic, where he received stitches.
How did Preity Zinta and Priyansh Arya respond?
Both reached out to Chand via a video call to check on his recovery. Preity Zinta promised to have a helmet ready for him when he returns to watch a future PBKS match at Dharamshala, and the franchise extended a personal invitation to attend.
Is Krishan Chand recovering well?
Yes, Chand is in stable condition and on the road to recovery. His son, a doctor, accompanied him to the clinic for treatment.
Where is the future match Chand has been invited to?
Punjab Kings invited Chand to watch a future match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.
How are PBKS performing this IPL season?
PBKS currently lead the IPL standings with one loss in eight games. They will face Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday evening.
