Shreyas Iyer’s Unbeaten 101 Powers Punjab Kings to Thrilling Win Over Lucknow, Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

Mullanpur, April 26: In a high-octane clash that breathed new life into their IPL 2026 playoff hopes, Punjab Kings clinched a commanding seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The win, achieved in just 18.1 overs while chasing 197, marked the end of Punjab’s six-match losing streak and was powered by a sensational unbeaten century from captain Shreyas Iyer — his first in the IPL. Iyer, who played a captain’s innings of 101 not out off 51 deliveries, featuring 11 fours and five sixes, anchored a 140-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh (69 off 39), who struck six boundaries and three sixes during his half-century.

Earlier, Lucknow Super Giants had posted a challenging 196 for six, with opener Josh Inglis leading the charge with a 42-ball 72, supported by Rinku Singh’s cameo and Abdul Samad’s late flourish. Inglis and Ayush Badoni (43 off 18) added 65 runs for the third wicket before Prabhsimran’s stumping off Yuzvendra Chahal brought an early breakthrough. Inglis, dropped on 18 by Iyer at cover, went on to hit Arshdeep Singh for six fours and two sixes in a brutal stretch, reaching his fifty in 28 balls. However, he eventually fell to Shahshank Singh, caught by Iyer, as Punjab’s bowlers applied pressure and restricted LSG to a below-par total.