CHANDIGARH: Up and coming Indian batter Priyansh Arya struck his first century in the IPL to lead Punjab Kings to an 18-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
Arya, a left-hand batter known for his six-hitting in domestic cricket, smashed 103 off 42 balls to steer Punjab to 219-6 at Mullanpur, near Chandigarh, where Chennai managed 201-5.
Spotted by Punjab after hitting six sixes in an over in a Delhi Premier League T20 match last year, the 24-year-old Arya was bought by the franchise for $440,000 in the November auction.
The big-hitter did not disappoint as he smashed the second ton of this season in his fourth match in the T20 tournament. He raced to his hundred in 39 balls as he pummelled the opposition attack with seven fours and nine sixes.
The ton was the fastest against five-time champions Chennai and the joint fourth-fastest ever in the IPL. Chris Gayle holds the record with a century in 30 balls.
Opener Arya found little support at the start as Punjab slipped to 83-5. After Shashank Singh joined the rising star and the two put together 71 runs in 34 balls.
Arya finally fell to Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, but Shashank, with his 52, and South African Marco Jansen, who smashed 34, finished with a flourish in an unbeaten stand of 65.
Chennai attempted to make a fist of the chase as New Zealand left-handers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway put on 61 runs for the opening wicket.
Australia spinner Glenn Maxwell got Ravindra stumped on 36. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for one off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.
Conway powered on with impact substitute Shivam Dube as the two put on 89 runs but Ferguson broke through to get the left-handed Dube bowled for 42.
Veteran M.S. Dhoni walked out to loud cheers but even though Conway retired out, Chennai’s batters failed to keep up to the ever-increasing run-rate.
Dhoni, 43, raised faint hopes of getting the target in his 12-ball 27 but departed at the start of the last over and Chennai went down to their fourth loss in five matches.
Arya ton powers Punjab to IPL win over Chennai
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Arya ton powers Punjab to IPL win over Chennai
- Spotted by Punjab after hitting six sixes in an over in Delhi Premier League T20 match last year, 24-year-old bought by franchise for $440,000 in November auction
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix organizers claim top F1 award
- Ethara’s delivery of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix stood out on the F1 calendar with record attendance and an ambitious entertainment program
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 hosted a dramatic three-way F1 Drivers’ World Championship showdown with Lando Norris claiming his first drivers’ title
ABU DHABI: Ethara, the promoter of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, was named Promoter of the Year at the annual F1 Promoter Awards in London on Wednesday, honored for staging the best event of the 2025 season.
The Promoter of the Year award is voted for by Formula One management and is given to the promoter that produced the best all-round event in 2025 and embodied the F1’s mission to deliver the world’s greatest live entertainment spectacle.
Saif Rashid Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, said: “We are proud to be recognized as Promoter of the Year in such a competitive field of promoters. This award is a testament to the strength of the Ethara team who are delivering our vision to become a regional powerhouse in live entertainment. We will continue raising the bar and pioneering unforgettable experiences for fans from around the world.”
Recognizing Ethara’s award, Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, said that 2025 “was another incredible year from start to finish for Formula 1,” adding that “our 24 promoters worked tirelessly to deliver the ultimate race weekend experience for fans.”
Domenicali said that as the sport enters its next generation in 2026, “we have a responsibility to continue breaking barriers and setting a high standard for others to follow.”
In 2025, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix hosted the dramatic three-way F1 Drivers’ World Championship showdown with Lando Norris claiming his first drivers’ title.
The event broke attendance records with 339,000 fans across four days, including 203,000 spectators at Yas Marina Circuit, alongside 136,000 attendees across Emirates NBD after-race concerts and the Yasalam after-parties featuring eight headline acts.
Expanded access brought fans closer to the action with two public pitlane walks, new FAB Track Walks, and a podium party that invited fans to celebrate on the track.
The Promoter of the Year award is the latest in a series of accolades for the event, following the 2024 Best Event Spectacle award that celebrated the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for delivering outstanding off-track entertainment.
Since its debut in 2009, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has established itself as the region’s biggest entertainment weekend, combining elite sport with large-scale entertainment, drawing thousands of international visitors each year and showcasing the emirate to millions of viewers worldwide.
The 18th edition of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place from Dec. 3-6, 2026, bringing the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship season to a close.
