Punjab Kings kept their IPL playoffs hopes alive with a dominant seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, powered by skipper Shreyas Iyer’s maiden IPL century.
After enduring six consecutive defeats, Punjab bounced back in style as Shreyas remained unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls, anchoring the chase with authority. He shared a crucial 140-run partnership for the third wicket with Prabhsimran Singh, who struck 69 off 39 deliveries, helping PBKS chase down LSG’s 196/6 in just 18 overs.
Punjab finished on 200/3 to move to 15 points from 14 league matches and reclaim the fourth spot in the standings. However, their qualification fate now hinges on other results. If Rajasthan Royals defeat Mumbai Indians on Sunday, Punjab will qualify for the playoffs. Otherwise, PBKS could be drawn into a net run-rate battle with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Punjab’s chase got off to a poor start as opener Priyansh Arya was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Mohammed Shami, who also removed Cooper Connolly early. But Shreyas steadied the innings with a composed yet aggressive knock, dominating both pace and spin with crisp drives, pulls and trademark flicks.
He particularly targeted spinner Digvesh Rathee, while Prabhsimran provided excellent support despite surviving chances on 20 and 62. Prabhsimran reached his sixth half-century of the season in 26 balls, while Shreyas brought up his fifty in 33 deliveries before accelerating dramatically. His second fifty came in just 18 balls.
Although Prabhsimran was trapped lbw by Arjun Tendulkar, Punjab remained firmly in control. Shreyas sealed both his hundred and Punjab’s victory with a six off Mohsin Khan and also hammered Shami for three sixes in one over.
Earlier, Josh Inglis starred for LSG with a blistering 72 off 42 balls to guide the hosts to 196/6. After early setbacks, Inglis and Ayush Badoni revived the innings with a 49-run stand. Badoni smashed 43 off 18 balls, including a brutal assault on Azmatullah Omarzai in a 24-run over.
LSG were further stabilised by a 65-run partnership between Inglis and captain Rishabh Pant, who made 26. Inglis reached his fifty in 28 balls before falling to part-timer Shashank Singh.
Late blows from Abdul Samad lifted LSG close to the 200-run mark, but Punjab’s bowlers ensured the total remained within reach before Shreyas and company completed a memorable chase.
