Lucknow: Punjab Kings (PBSK) finally snapped their six-match losing streak with a spectacular run chase, brilliantly led by captain Shreyas Iyer’s electrifying maiden IPL century, as they secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants in a must-win encounter during the 68th match of the IPL 2026 season on Saturday, 23 May, at Ekana Cricket Stadium. With this victory, PBSK kept their playoff hopes alive.
The match began with PBSK winning the toss and electing to bowl first. However, this decision initially put them on the back foot as Arshdeep Singh conceded 16 runs in the first over, while Josh Inglis started the innings in fiery fashion. But PBSK bounced back quickly as Arshin Kulkarni was dismissed by Azmatullah Omarzai for a duck, and Marco Jansen removed Nicholas Pooran for 2 off 7 balls, leaving LSG struggling at 20/2 in 2.5 overs. However, Josh Inglis anchored the innings brilliantly with a stunning 72 off just 44 balls, smashing 9 fours and 2 sixes. Alongside him, Ayush Badoni played a valuable cameo with a blazing 43 off just 18 balls, including 5 fours and 3 sixes, turning the momentum towards LSG. After this turnaround, LSG looked set to post a massive total, but quick wickets from Yuzvendra Chahal shifted the momentum back in favour of PBSK. He dismissed Ayush Badoni with a sharp stumping behind the stumps by Prabhsimran Singh and later removed captain Rishabh Pant for 26 off 22 balls. Chahal finished with impressive figures of 2/25 and brilliantly tightened the middle overs. Shashank Singh dismissed the dangerous Josh Inglis, while Abdul Samad played a crucial finishing role, staying unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls. With that effort, LSG posted a competitive total of 196/6 after 20 overs. In bowling, PBSK still leaked runs as Arshdeep again proved expensive, conceding 52 runs without taking a wicket, but they managed to pick up crucial wickets and controlled the middle overs effectively.
Chasing the target of 197, PBSK suffered an early setback as Mohammed Shami dismissed Priyansh Arya for a duck with the very first ball of the innings. Shami struck again in his second over, dismissing Cooper Connolly after a quickfire 18 off just 10 balls, leaving PBSK under pressure at 22/2 in only 2.2 overs. Under pressure, captain Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh stitched together a stunning match-winning partnership of 140 runs for the third wicket. Shreyas Iyer led the chase in sensational style, anchoring the innings with a magnificent unbeaten knock of 101 off just 51 balls, including 11 fours and 5 sixes, at a brilliant strike rate of 198.40, while registering his maiden IPL century. Meanwhile, Prabhsimran Singh played a superb supporting innings, handling the spinners with great confidence and fluency, scoring 69 off 39 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. The partnership was eventually broken by Arjun Tendulkar, who dismissed Prabhsimran Singh in the 14.6 overs. Shreyas Iyer took complete charge with a brilliant counter-attacking approach against the LSG bowlers, batting with flawless command and confidence. Suryansh Shedge remained unbeaten on 9 off 7 balls, and with a powerful six, Iyer brought up his sensational century and sealed the victory comfortably in the 18th over, finishing at 200/3. Iyer, with his extraordinary and match-winning performance, was deservedly named Player of the Match.
With this win, PBSK now moved to the 4th position with 15 points, keeping their playoff dreams alive. They are now heavily dependent on today’s match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, whose result will decide their future in the league.
