Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL ton steers PBKS past LSG, keeps playoff hopes alive
Synopsis
Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL hundred — 101 off just 51 balls — did what six straight defeats had failed to: revive Punjab Kings' playoff dream. The century, sealed with a six over cow corner, was the centrepiece of a 140-run stand with Prabhsimran Singh that dismantled LSG's 196 with two overs to spare. Punjab's fate now rests entirely on other results.
Key Takeaways
Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls (11 fours, 5 sixes, SR: 198.04) — his maiden IPL century .
Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in 18 overs , chasing 197 at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium on 23 May .
Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh (69 off 39) shared a match-winning 140-run third-wicket stand.
The win ended PBKS's six-match losing streak and lifted them to fourth on the IPL 2026 points table .
Punjab's playoff berth depends on the Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians result; an RR win eliminates PBKS.
LSG's tenth defeat of the season confirmed they will finish last in the IPL 2026 standings.
Shreyas Iyer blazed his maiden IPL century — an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls — to power Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a commanding seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Saturday, 23 May. The win ended Punjab's six-match losing streak and kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive, lifting them to fourth on the points table.
Iyer's Masterclass Dismantles LSG
Chasing 197, Punjab were in early trouble at 22/2 inside 2.2 overs after Priyansh Arya fell for a golden duck off Mohammed Shami's first delivery and Cooper Connolly was bowled by the same seamer. Iyer walked in and, alongside Prabhsimran Singh, orchestrated one of the IPL 2026 season's most decisive partnerships.
The two added a crucial 140 runs for the third wicket, with Prabhsimran contributing a fluent 69 off 39 balls before being trapped lbw by Arjun Tendulkar. Prabhsimran, notably dropped on 20 by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant off Tendulkar, reached his fifty in just 28 balls.
Iyer's innings was a showcase of clean hitting and decisive footwork — 11 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 198.04. He brought up his fifty in 33 balls, then launched three successive sixes off a single Shami over to put the game beyond doubt. The hundred came off a Mohsin Khan slower ball dispatched over cow corner, completing the chase in 18 overs with 12 balls to spare.
LSG's Innings: Inglis and Badoni Prop Up the Total
Lucknow had posted 196/6 in their 20 overs, built primarily on Josh Inglis's punishing 72 and Ayush Badoni's brisk 43. For Punjab, Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers with 2/25, while Marco Jansen chipped in with 2/33. Shami, despite his two early wickets in the chase, was taken apart for 45 runs in his four overs.
Playoff Equation: Punjab's Fate in Others' Hands
The victory moves PBKS to fourth on the IPL 2026 points table, but their qualification is contingent on results elsewhere. If Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Mumbai Indians (MI), Punjab are eliminated. Should MI win, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could still leapfrog Punjab on net run rate with a sufficiently large victory against the already-eliminated Delhi Capitals.
If results fall Punjab's way, they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Eliminator at New Chandigarh on Wednesday. LSG, meanwhile, suffered their tenth defeat of the season, confirming they will finish bottom of the IPL 2026 standings.
Brief Scores
Lucknow Super Giants: 196/6 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 72, Ayush Badoni 43; Yuzvendra Chahal 2/25, Marco Jansen 2/33) lost to Punjab Kings: 200/3 in 18 overs (Shreyas Iyer 101*, Prabhsimran Singh 69; Mohammed Shami 2/45, Arjun Tendulkar 1/36) by seven wickets.
With the equation now out of Punjab's control, their IPL 2026 season will be decided not on the field but on the scoreboards elsewhere — a fitting, nerve-shredding conclusion to a campaign that nearly fell apart entirely.
Point of View
But the structural story of this match is Punjab's fragility — a team that needed a must-win game and a career-best individual performance to stay alive, rather than consistent cricket across the season. The 140-run stand papered over a top-order that collapsed to 22/2 inside three overs, a recurring vulnerability. LSG's tenth loss, meanwhile, raises harder questions about squad assembly and captaincy decisions in a franchise that entered 2026 with genuine playoff ambitions. For Punjab, survival now depends on scorecards in a different city — a precarious place to be.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shreyas Iyer score against LSG on 23 May 2026?
Shreyas Iyer scored an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls, hitting 11 fours and 5 sixes at a strike rate of 198.04. It was his maiden IPL century and the cornerstone of Punjab Kings' seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants.
How does Punjab Kings qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Punjab Kings need Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals in their upcoming match. Even then, Kolkata Knight Riders could overtake PBKS on net run rate with a big win over Delhi Capitals. If all results go their way, Punjab face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.
What was the final score in the PBKS vs LSG match?
Lucknow Super Giants posted 196/6 in 20 overs, with Josh Inglis (72) and Ayush Badoni (43) as the top scorers. Punjab Kings chased it down in 18 overs for 200/3, winning by seven wickets. Shreyas Iyer (101*) and Prabhsimran Singh (69) shared a 140-run stand.
Where did Punjab Kings stand on the IPL 2026 points table after the win?
The victory lifted Punjab Kings to fourth place on the IPL 2026 points table. Their final standing depends on other results, particularly the Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians fixture.
What does the loss mean for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026?
LSG's defeat was their tenth of the IPL 2026 season and confirmed they will finish at the bottom of the points table. They have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
