Picture : @IPL/X
After losing six matches on the trot, Punjab Kings finally won a crucial match against Lucknow Super Giants in a Tata IPL 2026 encounter by 7-Wickets to keep their play-offs alive. Earlier Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to field first.
LSG were roccked early as they lost quick wickets opener Arshin Kulkarni 0, and Nicholas Pooran 2 . But Aussie wicket- keeper batsman who has impressed in all matches he turned out was brilliant the top yet again. Opening the innings Josh Inglis hit a power packed innings of 72 ( 44 balls 9 fours, 2 sixes), Ayush Badoni too was in cracking from but he out due to a fine stumping by Prabhsimran Singh off Chahal for 43 ( 18 balls , 5 fours, 3 sixes). LSG Skipper Rishabh Pant scored 26 ( 22 balls , 3 fours) , Mukul Choudhary 1 ( one match wonder ). Abdul samad gave the finishing touches to the LSG innings with an unbeaten innings of 37 ( 20 balls 3 fours, 3 sixes). Arjun Tendulkar son, of cricket legend Sachin tendulkar made his LSG debut and was not out 5 as LSG finished at 196/6 in their 20 overs
Punjab Kings Bowling: Arshdeep Singh 0/52 ( 3 overs) bowled a wrong line and length. Azmatullah Omarzai 1/29 ( 3 overs), Marco Jansen 2/33 ( 4 overs), Yuzvendra Chahal 2/25 ( 4 overs), Vijaykumar Vyshak 0/26 ( 3 overs), Shashank Singh 1/29 ( 3 overs)
In reply chasing 197 , Punjab were jolted early with in- form opener Priyansh Arya out for 0 . Cooper Connolly got off to start but fell soon for 18 . Punjab 21-2, 2.2 overs in popwer play. But Skipper Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh ( dropped by Rishabh Pant on 20) powered Punjab to victory with a fine 140 plus run stand .
The duo batted LSG out of the match. Prabhsimran Singh was out leg before to Arjun Tendulkar but before scoring a vital 69 when his team needed it most ( 39 balls, 7 fours , 2 sixes). It was Arjun Tendulakr’s maiden wicket in IPL 2026
The captain reporting for duty in a must-win game 👏
Shreyas Iyer wins the Player of the Match award 🌟#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #LSGvPBKS pic.twitter.com/3fthSxMRSv
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 23, 2026
Shreyas Iyer in fine form played a captain’s innings and hit his first IPL hundred in spectacular fashion . With his team needing 3 to win and him 5 for a hundred Iyer took the risk and ended the match with a six off Mohsin Khan. The joy on his face showed it all . Punjab finishing at 200/3 in 18 overs.
101* in his 101st #TATAIPL game as captain to bring up his first hundred in the league 🫡
A special knock from skipper Shreyas Iyer 💯
HIS KNOCK: https://t.co/tEGWPkE0hU#KhelBindaas | #LSGvPBKS pic.twitter.com/VLgkjZC2gr
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 23, 2026
The win took Punjab to the fourt spot. They now await the reult of the Mumbai Indians versus Rjasthan Royals encounter. A MI win will see Punjab through while a RR win means Punjab kings out . Delhi Capitals have been knocked out of the tournament with this win for Punjab Kings.
Lucknow Super Giants Bowling : Mohammed Shami 2/45 ( 4 overs), Prince Yadav 0/32 ( 3 overs), Mohsin Khan 0/48 ( 4 overs), Digvesh Rathi 0/39 ( 3 overs) struggled with his wayward line , Arjun Tendulkar 1/36 ( 4 overs) first over was good then fizzled out.
Match: IPL 2026, 68th Match
Venue: Lucknow | Date: May 23, 2026
