IPL 2026: Josh Inglis' 72 powers LSG to 196/6 against PBKS in Lucknow
Synopsis
Josh Inglis' 72 off 44 balls was the centrepiece of LSG's 196/6 against PBKS in Lucknow — but a mid-innings collapse means LSG may have left 10-15 runs on the table. For PBKS, the equation is stark: win this chase and hope RR slip up against MI, or their IPL 2026 campaign is over.
Key Takeaways
Josh Inglis top-scored with 72 off 44 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes, SR: 163.64) for LSG against PBKS on 23 May 2026 .
Abdul Samad contributed an unbeaten 37 off 20 to push LSG past the 190-mark in the death overs.
Ayush Badoni made 43 before being stumped off Yuzvendra Chahal ; Rishabh Pant added 26 .
Yuzvendra Chahal (2/25) and Marco Jansen (2/33) were PBKS's standout bowlers.
LSG are already out of playoff contention; PBKS must win and rely on RR losing to MI to advance.
Josh Inglis struck a fluent 72 off 44 balls and Abdul Samad chipped in with an unbeaten 37 off 20 to carry Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to 196/6 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their final IPL 2026 league fixture at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, 23 May. LSG, already eliminated from playoff contention, will now rely on their bowlers to defend the total.
Inglis Takes Centre Stage
Inglis did not see much of the strike in the early exchanges as LSG lost Arshin Kulkarni and Nicholas Pooran cheaply inside the Power-play, leaving the hosts two down. Once settled, however, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter counter-attacked with authority, eventually striking nine fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 163.64.
He added 49 runs for the third wicket alongside Ayush Badoni, who made 43 before being stumped off Yuzvendra Chahal. Inglis then forged a 65-run partnership with Rishabh Pant, pushing the score well past 100 and setting LSG up for a commanding total.
Late Wobble Costs LSG 10-15 Runs
At 147/4 after 15 overs, LSG appeared primed for a total beyond 210. The dismissal of Inglis, however, checked their momentum sharply. Mukul Choudhary fell cheaply soon after, and Pant had already departed for 26, leaving the lower order exposed in the death overs.
Samad responded with crisp strokes through point and mid-wicket to take LSG past the 190-mark, but the team will reckon they finished at least 10-15 runs short of a par score on what was a good batting surface.
PBKS Bowling Highlights
For Punjab Kings, Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2/25, with the stumping of Badoni a key moment. Marco Jansen also claimed two wickets for 33 runs, giving PBKS' attack a disciplined look in the back half of the innings.
What This Means for the Playoffs
The stakes are asymmetric heading into the second innings. PBKS must win this match and then hope Rajasthan Royals (RR) lose to Mumbai Indians (MI) to secure a playoff berth — a scenario that keeps their campaign alive but outside their direct control. LSG, already out of the race, will look to finish the season on a winning note and play spoilers. This is the last league game for both sides, making every run in the chase consequential.
Point of View
And that fluency was the difference between a competitive total and a match-winning one. The 10-15 run shortfall, however, is telling: losing three wickets in the last five overs is a recurring pattern for LSG this season, and it has cost them playoff cricket. For PBKS, the chase is winnable, but depending on another team's result is never a position a side wants to be in heading into the final round.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was LSG's final score against PBKS in IPL 2026 on 23 May?
Lucknow Super Giants posted 196/6 in 20 overs against Punjab Kings at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 23 May 2026. Josh Inglis top-scored with 72 off 44 balls, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 37 off 20.
How did Josh Inglis bat in the LSG vs PBKS IPL 2026 match?
Josh Inglis scored 72 off 44 balls at a strike-rate of 163.64, hitting nine fours and two sixes. He added a 49-run stand with Ayush Badoni and a 65-run partnership with Rishabh Pant before his dismissal checked LSG's momentum.
Who were the top wicket-takers for PBKS against LSG?
Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen each claimed two wickets for Punjab Kings. Chahal returned figures of 2/25, including the crucial stumping of Ayush Badoni, while Jansen finished with 2/33.
What do PBKS need to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Punjab Kings must win this match against LSG and then hope that Rajasthan Royals lose to Mumbai Indians. Both results are required for PBKS to secure a playoff berth, as their qualification is not in their own hands.
Are LSG still in contention for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
No, Lucknow Super Giants are already eliminated from playoff contention ahead of this match. They are playing their final league game of IPL 2026 with no bearing on their own qualification.
