Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL ton steers PBKS past LSG by 7 wickets
Synopsis
Shreyas Iyer's 101 not out off 51 balls was more than a century — it was a lifeline. Punjab Kings ended a six-game skid with a dominant seven-wicket win over Lucknow, and now their playoff survival depends entirely on what Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians do next. One result sends them home; the other sends them to the Eliminator.
Key Takeaways
Shreyas Iyer hit his maiden IPL century — 101 not out off 51 balls — at a strike-rate of 198.04 , with 11 fours and 5 sixes .
Punjab Kings chased down 197 in just 18 overs , winning by seven wickets to end a six-game losing streak .
Prabhsimran Singh scored 69 off 39 balls ; he and Iyer put on a 140-run third-wicket stand.
Josh Inglis top-scored for LSG with 72 off 44 balls ; LSG's 196/6 proved well short of a winning total.
PBKS move to fourth on the points table; playoff qualification depends on the RR vs MI result.
LSG's tenth defeat confirmed a last-place finish in IPL 2026 .
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer struck a breathtaking maiden IPL century — 101 not out off 51 balls — to power his side to a commanding seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, 23 May. The victory ended Punjab's six-game losing streak and kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes firmly alive.
Iyer's Century: The Knock That Changed Everything
Chasing 197, Punjab were in early trouble at 22/2 inside 2.2 overs after Priyansh Arya fell for a golden duck and Cooper Connolly was bowled by Mohammed Shami. Iyer walked in and transformed the chase entirely. He reached his fifty off just 33 balls, cutting and driving with authority, before shifting gears dramatically in the death.
Iyer smashed three sixes in a single Shami over to all but seal the contest, then launched a slower delivery from Mohsin Khan over cow corner to complete his maiden IPL hundred. His knock featured 11 fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 198.04. Punjab overhauled the target in just 18 overs, finishing at 200/3.
Prabhsimran Partnership Laid the Foundation
Prabhsimran Singh was the ideal foil, contributing a rapid 69 off 39 balls in a crucial 140-run third-wicket stand with Iyer. Prabhsimran — dropped on 20 by Rishabh Pant off Arjun Tendulkar — found his rhythm through inventive strokeplay and brought up his fifty in just 28 balls before being trapped lbw by Tendulkar for 69. By then, the game was effectively over.
LSG's 196 Proved Insufficient
Lucknow Super Giants posted 196/6 in 20 overs, built largely around Josh Inglis's fluent 72 off 44 balls — studded with nine fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 163.64. Ayush Badoni contributed 43 before being stumped off Yuzvendra Chahal, while Abdul Samad's unbeaten 37 off 20 balls provided late impetus.
LSG were placed at 147/4 after 15 overs and appeared set for a bigger finish, but Inglis's dismissal checked their momentum. Samad's late cameo pushed them past the 190-mark, but it proved well short of a par score on this surface. For Punjab, Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen claimed two wickets each.
Playoff Picture: Punjab's Fate Hinges on Other Results
The win lifted Punjab Kings to fourth place on the points table. Their playoff fate, however, remains contingent on other results. If Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians, Punjab are eliminated. If Mumbai Indians win, Kolkata Knight Riders could still leapfrog PBKS on net run rate with a substantial victory over the already-eliminated Delhi Capitals. Should results go their way, Punjab are set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.
For LSG, their tenth defeat of the season confirmed a last-place finish on the IPL 2026 points table — a sobering end to what had been a difficult campaign. Punjab, by contrast, head into the final round of fixtures with renewed belief.
Point of View
And a single captain's knock cannot mask the fragility that preceded it. The real question is structural: Punjab's over-reliance on one match-winner in a knockout-style situation reflects a top-order that has been inconsistent all tournament. Reaching the Eliminator would be a reprieve, not a vindication — and Sunrisers Hyderabad, if they meet, will be a far sterner test than a bottom-placed LSG side playing out the season.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Shreyas Iyer's score against LSG in IPL 2026?
Shreyas Iyer scored 101 not out off 51 balls, hitting 11 fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 198.04. It was his maiden IPL century and came in a must-win match for Punjab Kings at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 23 May.
How did Punjab Kings qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs?
Punjab Kings have not yet qualified — their playoff fate depends on other results. If Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians, PBKS are eliminated. If Mumbai Indians win, Punjab could still be overtaken by Kolkata Knight Riders on net run rate. Only if results fall in their favour will they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator in New Chandigarh on Wednesday.
What did LSG score against Punjab Kings on 23 May?
Lucknow Super Giants posted 196/6 in 20 overs, with Josh Inglis top-scoring on 72 off 44 balls and Abdul Samad contributing an unbeaten 37 off 20 balls. The total proved insufficient as Punjab Kings chased it down in 18 overs.
Who were the top performers for Punjab Kings in the chase?
Shreyas Iyer (101 not out off 51 balls) and Prabhsimran Singh (69 off 39 balls) were the standout batters, sharing a 140-run third-wicket partnership that anchored the chase. Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen took two wickets each with the ball.
Where does LSG finish in the IPL 2026 points table?
Lucknow Super Giants finished last on the IPL 2026 points table. Their tenth defeat of the season against Punjab Kings confirmed the bottom-place finish, ending what had been a difficult campaign for the franchise.
