Punjab Kings snapped a six-game losing spell in style as captain Shreyas Iyer struck an unbeaten hundred to steer the team to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants, keeping their IPL 2026 playoff chances very much alive. Chasing 197 at the Ekana Stadium, PBKS recovered from an early jolt and cruised to 200/3 in just 18 overs. Iyer made the difference with a brilliant 101 not out off 51 balls—his maiden IPL century—while Prabhsimran Singh provided the spark at the other end, blasting 69 off 39 deliveries. Together, the duo forged a decisive 140-run partnership for the third wicket after Punjab had been pushed off balance early.
Punjab’s chase: control after a shaky start
Lucknow began the innings with early pressure, as Mohammed Shami struck twice to put Punjab on the back foot. He removed Priyansh Arya for a first-ball duck and followed up by dismissing Cooper Connolly, leaving PBKS under immediate threat. From there, Iyer took charge, showing composure and confidence as the chase gradually shifted in Punjab’s favour.
- PBKS chased 197 and reached 200/3 in 18 overs.
- Shreyas Iyer finished with 101* off 51 balls (maiden IPL hundred).
- Prabhsimran Singh scored 69 off 39 deliveries.
- The third-wicket stand between Iyer and Prabhsimran added 140 runs.
How Iyer and Prabhsimran built the winning momentum
Iyer’s innings was defined by an array of strokeplay choices, mixing fluent timing off the pace with power through the arc. He struck both pace and spin with drives, strong pulls, and quick leg-side flicks. A key feature was his targeting of Digvesh Rathee, where regular boundary-making ensured Lucknow’s bowling plan lost its grip.
Prabhsimran played the perfect supporting role, keeping the scoreboard moving smoothly. He survived two close moments at 20 and 62, then accelerated into his sixth fifty of the season in just 26 balls. Iyer reached his own half-century in 33 deliveries before upping the tempo sharply. His second fifty arrived in only 18 more balls as the batting gears changed again during the death overs.
- Iyer attacked Digvesh Rathee consistently to swing momentum towards Punjab.
- Prabhsimran survived chances on 20 and 62 before reaching his sixth fifty in 26 balls.
- Iyer’s first fifty came in 33 balls; his second in 18 balls, with a clear acceleration late on.
Final overs, key dismissal and the finishing six
Even though Prabhsimran eventually fell lbw to Arjun Tendulkar, Punjab did not lose any rhythm and continued to press forward confidently. Iyer sealed the contest in style, finishing the chase with a six off Mohsin Khan—bringing both his century and the victory home.
It also reflected the dominance he had shown earlier in the innings: Iyer had smashed Mohammed Shami for three sixes in a single over during the chase, underlining how quickly Punjab could turn pressure into scoring.
- Prabhsimran was dismissed lbw to Arjun Tendulkar.
- Shreyas Iyer hit a six off Mohsin Khan to finish the match.
- Iyer earlier struck Shami for three sixes in one over.
Playoff implications and Lucknow’s 196/6
The win lifted Punjab to fourth place in the points table with 15 points from 14 matches. Still, qualification is not fully in their hands, with the outcome dependent on other results. Rajasthan Royals, currently on 14 points, take on Mumbai Indians on Sunday, and Punjab will need Rajasthan to lose that match to remain firmly in the playoff picture. Kolkata Knight Riders are also mathematically alive with 13 points, and could challenge Punjab on net run rate if results fall their way.
Earlier, Lucknow had posted 196/6 after strong contributions from Josh Inglis and Ayush Badoni. Inglis produced a counter-attacking 72 off 42 balls, while Badoni struck 43 off just 18 deliveries as the pair revived Lucknow following early setbacks. Badoni’s most damaging burst came against Azmatullah Omarzai, where he took 24 runs from one over—hitting 4, 6, 6 and 4—to help Lucknow reach 66/2 in the powerplay despite losing Arshin Kulkarni and Nicholas Pooran early.
Badoni’s innings ended when Prabhsimran executed a sharp stumping off Yuzvendra Chahal; DRS confirmed the dismissal. Inglis then shifted gears again, punishing Arshdeep Singh with a flurry of boundaries and sixes. Rishabh Pant added 26 off 21 balls and shared a 65-run stand with Inglis, though the Lucknow captain was not fully fluent despite being dropped on 18 by Shreyas off Chahal’s bowling.
Chahal eventually accounted for Pant, and later Inglis fell to part-time spinner Shashank Singh after finding Shreyas at long-on. Abdul Samad contributed a late unbeaten 37 off 20 balls, but Marco Jansen dismissed Mukul Choudhary cheaply, and that sealed the sense that 200 would be out of reach for Lucknow.
- LSG finished on 196/6.
- Josh Inglis: 72 off 42; Ayush Badoni: 43 off 18.
- Badoni took 24 runs in one over vs Azmatullah Omarzai (4, 6, 6, 4).
- Badoni was stumped by Prabhsimran off Yuzvendra Chahal; DRS confirmed.
- Rishabh Pant: 26 off 21; a 65-run stand with Inglis.
- Chahal dismissed Pant; Inglis later fell to Shashank Singh after a catch at long-on.
- Abdul Samad: 37* off 20; Mukul Choudhary dismissed by Marco Jansen.
