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- PBKS vs LSG highlights, IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL century keeps Punjab Kings in playoffs race, beat Lucknow Super Giants by 7 wickets
PBKS vs LSG highlights, IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL century keeps Punjab Kings in playoffs race, beat Lucknow Super Giants by 7 wickets
Shreyas, whose maiden IPL hundred came off 51 balls, and Prabhsimran Singh (69, 39 balls) added 140 runs for the third wicket as Punjab scaled down LSG’s 196 for two in 18 overs. PBKS made 200 for three.
The victory helped Punjab to reach 15 points from their all 14 league engagements to reclaim the No. 4 position on the table.
But now, they will have to go through an excruciating wait to know their fate as Rajasthan Royals (14) are taking on Mumbai Indians on Sunday at Mumbai.
If RR win the match then, Punjab will enter the playoffs as the fourth placed team with 16 points.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (13 points), who are up against Delhi Capitals in the weekend's second clash, too have an outside chance should RR fail to go past MI.
In that case, it will be a battle of net run rate between KKR and PBKS, with both tied on 15 points. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans are already in the knockouts.
But the equation worries are for another time, as Shreyas showed his steely nerves while chasing yet again with a fabulous knock.
Iyer explained that repeated discussions about losses were only adding pressure on the players. Instead, he told coach Ricky Ponting to skip meetings entirely and allow the squad to stick to their usual routines. The result? One of PBKS’ most complete performances of the season.
It was a fascinating insight into team psychology during high-pressure tournaments like the IPL. Sometimes, constant analysis and tactical conversations can mentally exhaust players, especially during losing streaks. Punjab chose freedom over fear, and it reflected in the way they played.
Even when they lost two wickets early in the chase, there was no panic from the dressing room or the batters in the middle. Shreyas Iyer looked completely in control, pacing his innings brilliantly before exploding at the death to finish unbeaten on 101.
Ricky Ponting later praised Iyer’s leadership qualities, saying the respect he commands in the dressing room is unmatched. According to Ponting, whenever Iyer speaks, every player listens carefully.
This win may or may not take Punjab into the playoffs, but it definitely showed the importance of trust, clarity and a relaxed mindset in pressure situations.
Captain Rishabh Pant admitted it had been a difficult campaign but tried to focus on the positives. Young pacer Prince Yadav emerged as one of the few bright spots, earning praise for his performances and even securing an Indian call-up. Pant also highlighted the contributions of experienced bowlers like Mohammed Shami, who helped hold the inexperienced attack together during a challenging season.
Still, the bigger issue for LSG was their inability to control games with the ball. At the Ekana Stadium, defending totals became increasingly difficult as pitches improved during the second innings, and LSG lacked the bowling depth to adapt. Against PBKS, they relied on just five regular bowling options, which proved costly once Shreyas Iyer settled in.
Questions will now be asked about the team’s direction moving forward. Former players and experts have already raised doubts over coaching strategies and leadership combinations. Injuries to key overseas stars also disrupted their balance throughout the tournament.
For a franchise that entered the season with playoff expectations, finishing at the bottom is a massive setback. LSG will now need serious reflection before IPL 2027 begins.
The opener played a mature and fearless knock, rotating strike smartly while also punishing loose deliveries. Ricky Ponting praised him after the match, saying it’s only in recent years that Prabhsimran himself has realised how talented he truly is. That confidence is now visible every time he walks out to bat.
His partnership with Iyer was the turning point of the game. The duo added over 100 runs for the third wicket and never allowed the required rate to spiral out of control. More importantly, Prabhsimran showed composure instead of reckless aggression, which has often been the difference for PBKS this season.
The innings also comes at the perfect time for the young batter, especially after earning India A recognition. Former cricketers and experts have repeatedly pointed out that selectors are watching him closely, and performances like this only strengthen his case further.
Punjab may still need other results to qualify, but one thing is certain — Prabhsimran Singh is no longer just a promising youngster. He’s becoming a dependable match-winner.
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What stands out this season is how comfortable Punjab appear while batting second. Their record tells the story — six wins in nine completed chases, compared to just one victory while batting first. Whether the target is 190 or 220, PBKS now back themselves to hunt it down.
A major reason behind this transformation has been the fearless batting approach led by Shreyas Iyer. Since joining the franchise, he has consistently delivered in big run chases and has already powered Punjab to successful pursuits against teams like Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and now Lucknow Super Giants.
The batting unit around him has also clicked perfectly. Youngsters like Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh provide explosive starts, while the middle order keeps attacking without panic. Even after losing early wickets against LSG, there was no visible desperation in the chase.
Punjab have now scored 200 or more nine times this season, matching one of the highest tallies in IPL history. Their aggressive style has made them one of the most entertaining sides to watch, and if they somehow sneak into the playoffs, no team will want to face them.
The PBKS skipper smashed an unbeaten 101 off just 51 balls, registering his maiden IPL century and becoming only the third Punjab captain to score a hundred in the tournament. His calmness under pressure stood out as he rebuilt the innings with Prabhsimran Singh through a brilliant century partnership.
What makes this innings even more special is Iyer’s consistency in chases. Since 2024, he has scored nearly 800 runs in successful IPL chases at an average touching 160 and a strike rate above 178. Those are unreal numbers for a middle-order batter leading a side under pressure.
Punjab have now chased down targets above 190 multiple times over the last two seasons, and Iyer has been central to almost every successful pursuit. When the pressure rises, he somehow looks even more composed. PBKS fans will now hope Mumbai Indians do them a favour in the final league-stage matches.
Final day drama - What a day May 24 promises to be, with PBKS, RR and KKR all still in contention for the final playoff spot. First up in Mumbai, the Mumbai Indians take on the Rajasthan Royals at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT), with the equation straightforward for the Royals. Win, and they book their place in the playoffs while shutting the door on both PBKS and KKR. Later at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), the Kolkata Knight Riders face the Delhi Capitals in Kolkata. If the Royals slip up earlier in the day, KKR will then need a victory big enough to overhaul PBKS on net run rate and seal qualification. If they lose or fail to bridge the net run-rate gap, PBKS will progress to the playoffs. We look forward to having your company then. Cheers!
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What does this result mean for KKR? With PBKS boosting their net run rate to +0.309, KKR will need RR to lose and then either win by 77 runs batting first, assuming they score 200, or chase down a target of 200 in 12.1 overs to qualify ahead of the Punjab Kings, as per broadcasters' calculations.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Shreyas Iyer, the skipper of the Punjab Kings, wins the award for his unbeaten knock of 101 runs in 51 balls. He says he is excited because it's his first hundred, and it came at the right time, when the team needed it most. He adds that he is elated by their bowlers' performance. He says that they finally got their win after 6 consecutive losses, and it's a great positive. They will be there to support MI tomorrow. Reckons that even though they didn't start well with the ball, they recovered well. He further says that Azmat bowled well and got a crucial wicket, and Yuzi was exceptional. Says that he leaked a lot of runs in the last game, but he showed his character and bounced back, which was phenomenal. He adds that he gives himself some time in the middle and moves on gradually. Says that the way Prabhsimran took on the bowlers was exceptional. He seriously showed them what he is capable of. Ends by saying that he is happy to get a century, and it was a great feeling.
Time for the presentation ceremony...
Inglis led the way for LSG - With Mitchell Marsh unavailable, LSG fielded their sixth opening pair of the season in Josh Inglis and Arshin Kulkarni. Inglis got off to another brisk start, while Ayush Badoni provided a brief counterattack after Punjab struck early. Although Inglis held the innings together, PBKS ensured LSG never fully broke free and removed him before the death overs. A 17-run final over from Arshdeep Singh helped Lucknow push close to 200. Arshdeep ended with figures of 3-0-52-0, making it slightly surprising that Shreyas Iyer chose not to bowl out either Azmatullah Omarzai or Vijaykumar Vyshak despite both having an over left.
Captain to the rescue - Chasing 197 to stay alive in the playoff race, PBKS lost a couple of wickets inside the first three overs, but that was as good as it got for LSG. Shreyas Iyer walked out like a man on a mission, unleashing a flurry of boundaries that got him going and also eased the pressure on Prabhsimran Singh. Dropped on 20 by Rishabh Pant off Arjun Tendulkar's bowling, Prabhsimran made Lucknow pay dearly. Singh grew in confidence as the innings progressed and began finding boundaries with increasing regularity. Prabhsimran and Iyer stitched a match-defining 140-run partnership that effectively sealed the contest for PBKS, with the skipper bringing up his maiden IPL hundred with the winning hit.
The head coach of the Punjab Kings - Ricky Ponting says that they have done it the hard way. Adds that they were sloppy in the field and probably gave away 20 extra runs. Mentions it was a very clinical chase and once again praises skipper Shreyas Iyer, adding that there was a reason behind investing heavily in him because of the authority and respect he brings to the group. Ponting admits Punjab's standards dropped after a brilliant first half of the season, but feels they were much better tonight. He also highlights Prabhsimran Singh's growth, saying the opener has finally realised how good he really is and that innings like this will only make him better. On the playoff race, he says the team will now sit together and closely follow tomorrow's results.
The captain of the Lucknow Super Giants - Rishabh Pant says that they need to keep their heads high, though it was a tough season for them. He adds that they fell a few runs short, and here in Ekana, the wicket gets better in the second innings, so everyone needs to bowl first. He reckons that Josh Inglis came in and played a brilliant knock, and Marsh was not there either. Adds that Mohsin came in and did well, so there are a lot of positives to take forward. Ends by saying that it's been a long season and they promise to come back stronger.
A much-needed win for Punjab - The Kings snap their six-game losing streak and move to the 4th spot with 15 points. They have done what they needed to do and now turn their attention to Sunday's fixtures, hoping for slip-ups from both Rajasthan and Kolkata. In KKR's case, though, Punjab currently hold the edge on net run rate, meaning Kolkata would need a big win to leapfrog them. With Punjab's win, the Delhi Capitals are out of the playoff race. As for the Lucknow Super Giants, they bow out with a defeat and finish a disappointing campaign with just 4 wins from 14 matches, their fewest victories in a single IPL season.
- Shreyas Iyer 101 (51)
- Suryansh Shedge 9 (7)
Mohsin Khan to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! MAIDEN IPL HUNDRED FOR IYER! He has finished things off in style, and PUNJAB KINGS WIN BY 7 WICKETS. Mohsin Khan goes full again and on off, gives no pace. Shreyas Iyer steps across to get underneath it and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. A big smile on the face of the Punjab skipper, as he has scored an exceptional unbeaten century to keep his team alive in the tournament.
Mohsin Khan to Suryansh Shedge, Sticks to the shorter length, on off, slower again, Suryansh Shedge pats it towards cover-point for one.
Mohsin Khan to Shreyas Iyer, Bangs this into the pitch and outside off, Shreyas Iyer steps across and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Just 4 runs to win now for Punjab!
Mohsin Khan to Shreyas Iyer, Short of a length and around off, takes pace off, Shreyas Iyer tries to cut it away but misses.
Mohsin Khan to Suryansh Shedge, On a length and on off, Suryansh Shedge steers it towards point for a single.
Mohsin Khan to Suryansh Shedge, FOUR! Gets it away! Back of a length and outside off, Suryansh Shedge throws his hands at it. Gets it from the cue-end of the bat but well wide of short third for a boundary. PBKS are just one big hit away from the win, while Iyer is also 6 runs away from his ton.
- Suryansh Shedge 3 (4)
- Shreyas Iyer 94 (48)
Arjun Tendulkar to Suryansh Shedge, Full toss once more, outside off, Suryansh Shedge drives it wide of long off for one more.
Arjun Tendulkar to Shreyas Iyer, Another low full toss, around off, Shreyas Iyer stays deep inside his crease and drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Arjun Tendulkar to Suryansh Shedge, Just wide! A slower one, full and on middle, Suryansh Shedge looks to work it across the line but closes the bat face early. It goes off the leading edge wide of the bowler, where Arjun stretches his left hand but the ball just goes past him. They cross.
Arjun Tendulkar to Shreyas Iyer, In the blockhole, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer tucks it away through mid-wicke for a run.
Arjun Tendulkar to Suryansh Shedge, Fuller and around leg, Suryansh Shedge clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. PBKS need just 14 runs to win now!
Arjun Tendulkar to Suryansh Shedge, Low full toss, on off, Suryansh Shedge drills it back to the bowler.
Arjun Tendulkar to continue...
- Shreyas Iyer 92 (46)
- Suryansh Shedge 0 (0)
Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! That is some shot to finish the over. A tad fuller, on off, Shreyas Iyer takes a step forward and launches it over long on for a biggie. Shreyas Iyer moves to 92 now. 20 runs off the over. Punjab need 15 more runs.
Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, Mohammad Shami bangs it short, on off, Shreyas Iyer looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces back to the bowler. Dot.
Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, Short, on off, Shreyas Iyer plays an uppercut over the keeper's head for a brace.
Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! Shreyas Iyer looks in a hurry! A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer stays back and flicks it over deep mid-wicket. Digvesh Singh, near the fence, dives and takes the catch but lands over the ropes.
Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, Good length, on off, Shreyas Iyer taps it back to the bowler.
Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! What a wonderful shot from Shreyas Iyer! Back of a length, around the waist, Shreyas Iyer swivels, uses the pace of the ball, and helps it effortlessly over fine leg for a biggie.
Strategic Break! Finally, something to cheer for the Lucknow fans, but it looks like the game has slipped away from LSG, unless something extraordinary happens. The partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh has made the difference in this game. Punjab can now even try to finish things off early to make the NRR even better, if it comes down to that. Suryansh Shedge is the next man in. Also, Mohammad Shami comes back into the attack.
- Prabhsimran Singh 69 (39)
- Shreyas Iyer 72 (40)
Arjun Tendulkar to Prabhsimran Singh, OUT! LBW! That's the end of Prabhsimran Singh. First wicket for Arjun Tendulkar this season. He nails a pinpoint yorker, on middle. Prabhsimran Singh shuffles across and looks to flick it, but gets beaten as the ball under his blade and hits his shoes. A loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Prabhsimran Singh does not review this one. He walks back after a fine knock. Punjab Kings are 162/3, and they now need 35 runs in 30 balls.
Arjun Tendulkar to Shreyas Iyer, Much fuller, on leg, Shreyas Iyer works it to mid-wicket for a single.
Arjun Tendulkar to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries from the skipper! Arjun Tendulkar follows Shreyas Iyer down leg. Shreyas shuffles across, uses the pace of the ball, and guides it over backward point for yet another boundary.
Arjun Tendulkar to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! Shreyas Iyer finds the gap this time! A low full toss from Arjun Tendulkar, on leg, Shreyas Iyer picks it well and flicks it through mid-wicket as the ball races away to the fence.
Arjun Tendulkar to Shreyas Iyer, Nice and full, on off, Shreyas Iyer lifts it down the ground. Nicholas Pooran runs to his left, dives, and makes a good stop near the fence. The batters collect two runs.
Arjun Tendulkar to Prabhsimran Singh, Much fuller, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh shuffles across and flicks it to short fine leg for a single.
- Prabhsimran Singh 68 (37)
- Shreyas Iyer 61 (36)
Prince Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, Bangs it short, on leg, Prabhsimran Singh pulls it awkwardly towards deep square leg for a single.
Prince Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, FOUR! The onslaught continues from Prabhsimran Singh! Slightly shorter and slower too. Prabhsimran Singh stays back in his crease and slams it over wide mid off for a boundary.
Prince Yadav to Shreyas Iyer, Prince Yadav keeps it full again, on off, Shreyas Iyer knocks it to mid on for a single.
Prince Yadav to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! That's a cracking shot from Shreyas Iyer! A tad fuller, on off, Shreyas Iyer rocks onto his back foot and drills it over the bowler's head for a boundary.
Prince Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, Hard length, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh guides it through the right of the keeper for a single.
Is that a clean catch? Prabhsimran Singh has been asked to wait by the umpires, but Ayush Badoni seems confident here. After watching the replays from different angles, the third umpire deems that the fingers are not underneath the ball. Another life for Singh.
Last throw of the dice as Rishabh Pant brings back Prince Yadav into the attack.
Prince Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, Prabhsimran Singh survives yet again! Hard length, on off, Prabhsimran Singh stays back and drives it to extra cover, but doesn't quite connect it well. The ball carries towards Badoni, who bends low and takes a good catch. The umpires check for a clean catch, and the replays show that Badoni's fingers were pointing down on the ground and were not beneath the ball.
- Shreyas Iyer 56 (34)
- Prabhsimran Singh 62 (33)
Digvesh Singh to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! That's a massive hit from Shreyas Iyer! Digvesh Singh fires it in, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer gets down on one knee and slogs it high over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.
Digvesh Singh to Prabhsimran Singh, Sliding on, on a good length, on middle. Prabhsimran Singh nurdles it through mid-wicket for a run.
Match Statistics
Venue
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
