Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Kings by seven wickets in their IPL 2026 match on Saturday, a result that keeps their playoff chase firmly alive. The win lifted PBKS to fourth place with 15 points from 14 games, putting them ahead of Rajasthan Royals, who slipped to fifth with 14 points from 13 matches. Kolkata Knight Riders sit sixth with 13 points from 13 encounters, meaning three teams are still locked in the fight for the last available playoff spot.<\/p>\n
With Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad already confirmed for the next stage, the remaining pressure is concentrated around PBKS, RR and KKR. After PBKS\u2019 victory over LSG, KKR\u2019s path has become more complicated: their net run rate stands at 0.083, while PBKS hold a healthier figure of 0.309. To edge past PBKS in the table, KKR will need a decisive win that boosts their NRR, with the next challenge coming against Delhi Capitals.<\/p>\n
For Rajasthan, the equation is simpler in terms of points. A win for RR would take them to 16 points and effectively secure the final playoff berth. However, if they lose, the battle for qualification is set to stretch to the final league fixtures, with KKR meeting DC on Sunday. That day also features RR\u2019s match against Mumbai Indians, adding another layer of uncertainty for the teams still chasing a place in the top four.<\/p>\n
PBKS\u2019 season has not been smooth. They started strongly and, at one stage, looked close to unstoppable from the top of the table. But momentum deserted them as they fell into a six-match losing run late in the campaign. That slide did not extend to seven games, though, because they found a way to beat LSG in their last league outing.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the performance after the match, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting said his side had made it difficult for themselves but got the job done. He pointed out that fielding lapses again cost them, saying they allowed LSG 20 extra runs than they should have conceded, even as he praised the chase. Ponting also highlighted the captain\u2019s consistent ability to take charge in tough run chases, adding that the innings he produced was his first IPL century of the season. He concluded by noting the team would celebrate tonight and then wait to see how the results across the league shape the final standings.<\/p>\n
The chase itself turned out to be the defining moment. After setting a target of 197, PBKS reached 200 for 3 in 18 overs, powered by captain Shreyas Iyer\u2019s unbeaten 101 off 51 balls. Iyer struck 11 fours and five sixes, finishing with a strike rate of 198.04 as he steered the team through early trouble. Prabhsimran Singh provided another boost with a half-century, hitting 69 off 39 deliveries to keep the required rate under control.<\/p>\n
For Lucknow, Mohammed Shami was the standout with three wickets to slow the chase. LSG had posted 196 for 6 in their 20 overs at the start, with Josh Inglis making solid contributions, smashing 72 off 44 balls. In the PBKS innings, Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen each claimed two wickets, but it was not enough to prevent Punjab from finishing the job and keeping their playoff hopes alive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Kings by seven wickets in their IPL 2026 match on Saturday, a result that keeps their playoff chase firmly alive.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"PBKS vs LSG IPL 2026: PBKS win boosts playoff race","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"PBKS beat LSG by 7 wickets to stay in the IPL 2026 playoff race, leapfrogging rivals as RR and KKR battle for the last spot.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n