Punjab Kings have hit a purple patch in IPL 2026, and at the halfway point of the league stage they are the only side still unbeaten. From seven outings, PBKS have collected six victories and one no-result washout, finishing with 13 points. With the usual qualification threshold hovering around 16 points, two more wins would almost certainly secure top-four entry—and potentially a first-place finish—making the atmosphere in the dressing room feel unusually buoyant.
Amid the celebrations, PBKS spinner Yuzvendra Chahal sparked a light-hearted moment with a playful request directed at team co-owner Preity Zinta. On X, Chahal asked Zinta if she could give him a chance to “open the batting in a match” and tagged the query with #pzchat. Zinta responded with an equally cheeky promise: “For sure, Yuzi. Anything for you. Let the IPL end first—then whichever match you like… I’m sure Prabh and Priyansh won’t mind then #Ting.”
PBKS’ record chase against Delhi Capitals
- Punjab Kings produced a stunning batting performance in their previous match, rewriting T20 chase benchmarks in the process.
- They chased down a target of 265 set by Delhi Capitals, completing the highest-ever successful run chase in T20 cricket by surpassing it for the historic win.
- Delhi, after being put in to bat first, posted 264 for 2, with Nitish Rana smashing 91 and KL Rahul providing a captain’s blend of timing and power to craft a 152.
- Rahul’s 152 was the third-highest individual score in IPL history, while the hosts’ innings delivered a difficult total on a batter-friendly night.
- In response, PBKS’ top order made an explosive start as Prabhsimran Singh (76) and Priyansh Arya (73) combined to add 126 runs in only 42 balls, setting the tone for the chase.
- Skipper Shreyas Iyer, who had been dropped twice by Karun Nair within the span of three balls, steadied the chase with an unbeaten 71 off 36 deliveries.
- PBKS finished the job with seven balls to spare, registering their sixth win of the season and sending the contest into the IPL record books.
There was also an extra layer of significance to the chase: the previous best successful run chase in both T20 cricket and IPL history was already held by Punjab Kings, when they hunted down 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.
