IPL 2025: Priyansh Arya’s big regret after blazing century stuns Chennai

Dubai: Young Punjab Kings batter Priyansh Arya struck a match-winning century against Chennai Super Kings in their previous Indian Premier League fixture at Mallanpur earlier this week. His blistering knock — the joint fourth-fastest century in IPL history, off just 39 balls, and the second-fastest by an Indian — laid the foundation for an 18-run win over the five-time champions and lifted Punjab to fourth in the IPL standings.

Despite the fireworks and flooring both records and the opposition, the 24-year-old had one regret — missing the chance to speak to legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni, keeping wicket for Chennai, watched Arya tear into the bowling attack, but the youngster never got the opportunity to speak to him after the match.

At a select media roundtable, Arya revealed how he had hoped to meet the former India captain but missed out due to post-match obligations.

“I feel very lucky to play against Dhoni sir as very few get that opportunity,” Arya said. “There was pressure when he was behind the wickets and also there were legendary bowlers on the field like Ashwin. I wanted to talk to Dhoni sir but I couldn’t because I was busy with the interviews and when I finished, he had left by then.”

Arya also paid tribute to Punjab head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer for giving him the confidence and freedom to play his natural game, despite his failure in the previous match against Rajasthan Royals.

The left-hander also recalled a special gift from another former India opener — current India head coach Gautam Gambhir — during his early days.

Both Arya and Gambhir were coached by Bharadwaj, and the youngster remembers his first Ranji Trophy camp vividly.

“The first time I spoke to Gautam bhaiya, I had gone for my first Ranji camp and was batting in the nets. He called me near him and gave me a whole new kit bag — the one he used to play with,” Arya recollected.

Arya’s next big challenge comes on Saturday when Punjab Kings travel to face Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-hander will have to contend with the pace of Australian captain Pat Cummins and India’s ace fast bowler Mohammed Shami.