A light-hearted campaign to hit the most sixes inside the dressing room helped spark Punjab Kings\u2019 batting surge, captain Shreyas Iyer revealed after the table-toppers produced yet another commanding performance. Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs on Sunday, posting 254\/7 at the venue. The innings featured Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly smashing 93 and 87 respectively as Punjab registered the highest team total of the ongoing IPL season.<\/p>\n
Iyer, speaking at the post-match presentation, highlighted the freedom that came with the team\u2019s approach. \u201cIt was an exceptional partnership\u2014some of the shots were jaw-dropping. We went after the fast bowlers from the back foot, and the composure during the middle overs was sensational,\u201d he said. He added that before the game he had spoken with Arya and Connolly about competing for the most six-hitting feats. \u201cI was talking with Cooper and Arya\u2014let\u2019s compete for the most number of sixes. The prize is my bat, though it doesn\u2019t really make sense, but hopefully it will make us happy. When you let players be, they just deliver. That\u2019s our mantra.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arya and Connolly combined to put on a huge second-wicket stand of 182 runs in just 13.2 overs, delivering a highly entertaining contest for Punjab supporters and making the chase extremely difficult for Lucknow. Connolly also credited the environment around the group. \u201cI don\u2019t tell them how to go about their specific innings. They already have their patterns set. Ricky Ponting motivates just before the game, I chip in, the boys come in and deliver,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Punjab\u2019s bowlers then backed up the big score with disciplined work, keeping Lucknow Super Giants to 200\/5 and sealing a comfortable win. Iyer pointed to the experience within the bowling group. \u201cMost of our bowlers are international players with immense experience. We have plans against certain batters\u2014it\u2019s all about execution. They just shouldn\u2019t get complacent,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
In response, Lucknow skipper Rishabh Pant acknowledged that there were definite concerns to address after conceding 254. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to point out one area. The bowlers have done well, but there have been areas of concern. There is some positivity with the batting,\u201d Pant said.<\/p>\n
Lucknow also attempted a fresh look at the top with Ayush Badoni coming in as part of the opening combination. Badoni scored 35 off 21 deliveries as the chase got underway, but Punjab\u2019s total proved too steep to overcome.<\/p>\n
Badoni explained the thinking behind the move. \u201cThe idea was to go out and play freely. It was pre-decided, not a decision taken today. We tried to take the pressure off the top order. We believe in the team, but credit to PBKS for playing good, hard cricket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Priyansh Arya, who was named Player of the Match, described his innings as an effort to extend the momentum. \u201cToday I batted a little beyond the powerplay and contributed as much as I could for my team. That gave me a lot of satisfaction. I don\u2019t practice six-hitting that much. I just practice timing the ball as well as possible, and that helps me in batting,\u201d Arya said.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old further added that he prefers to keep conversations to a minimum once the ball is in play. \u201cIf we talk too much, too many thoughts come into my mind. I feel it\u2019s better if we don\u2019t talk too much, then we can play with a clearer mind,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A light-hearted campaign to hit the most sixes inside the dressing room helped spark Punjab Kings\u2019 batting surge, captain Shreyas Iyer revealed after the table-toppers…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Shreyas Iyer on Punjab\u2019s Six-Fest in IPL vs LSG","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Shreyas Iyer details Punjab Kings\u2019 \u201csix-fest\u201d plan after their 54-run win vs LSG, with Arya and Connolly firing to 254\/7.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n