When Ricky Ponting brought up the idea of Project Punjab in 2025, not many people were convinced. Punjab Kings have been one of the most inconsistent sides in IPL history and were set for another overhaul.
Almost a year later, Ponting suddenly seems to have turned his doubters into believers. The following is on the rise, which Arshdeep Singh takes credit for, but it was because of the performances on the field. Starting with openers that exude modern cricketing exuberance, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh are the best opening pair in IPL 2026.
Then you’ve got Cooper Connolly, who’s done well Shreyas Iyer who turned into the new chase master in the tournament. Bowling is led by Arshdeep and Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett are present. Yuzvendra Chahal can win a match on his day. All these came together and Punjab found themselves at the top of the table.
Now, if you look at Lucknow Super Giants, many of these elements seem to be missing, especially with their batting. Loss to RCB at Chinnaswamy was again a reminder that the launcher didn’t seem to click at all.
Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram, who gave them big starts, struggled for consistency. Rishabh Pant’s batting output is still struggling to justify the Rs. The owners spent 27 million crowns on it. 104 runs from five matches at a strike rate of 122.35 is not what you expect when that kind of money is being spent on you.
Nicholas Pooran looks a shadow of himself from the 2025 season, where coming in at No.3 has helped him find consistency and rhythm. Last season the output was 524 runs from 14 matches. This season, promotion to No. 5 yielded just 42 runs from five matches.
The bowling has been a bright spot with Prince Yadav and Mohammed Shami impressing in the power-play and taking nine and four wickets so far.
With Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav nearing match fitness, Lucknow will be hoping that their bowling can get them going a bit.
PBKS VS LSG: HEAD-TO-HEAD
When it comes to statistics, there is nothing that separates the two teams. So far they have played six matches and won three of them.
Last season, PBKS managed to complete a double over LSG on their way to the finals.
WILL PANT BE READY FOR THE PUNJAB CHALLENGE?
Pant famously joked after the IPL 2025 auction that he was happy that PBKS didn’t pick him and wanted to go to LSG. Now he needs to justify the support shown by the owners and put in a good performance.
In the loss against RCB, he was elbowed by Josh Hazlewood and walked off the field before coming to bat later. He did not get out in the second innings and his participation in the upcoming game was in doubt. But LSG bowling coach Bharat Arun confirmed that Pant is fit and ready to lead the team again.
“He is absolutely fine, fit enough to play tomorrow,” Arun said.
Pant has not had the best of records against PBKS, scoring just 218 runs from 15 matches. That will have to change immensely.
CAN LUCKNOW STOP THE PRIYANSH-PRABHSIMRAN IDEA?
PBKS bowling coach James Hopes was full of praise when it came to the opening pair. He said he was not sure if Prabhsimran and Priyansh were aware of how good they were.
“Actually, I don’t think they realize how good they really are. I’ve never seen an uncapped player do what Priyansh has done since his first game; he looks an even better player this year. As for guys like Nehal and Shashank in the middle, not much is being asked of them so far because our top order is playing well. They’re doing the job with little cameos,” they said they’ll come on in the coming games, but I hope they’ll come on when I need them.
Priyansh has 118 runs from four games at a strike rate of 245.83 while Prabhsimran has 211 at 172.95 from five games.
Additionally, skipper Shreyas adds that the batting looks much more solid with 203 runs from five matches, with three fifties at an average of 67.67 and a strike rate of 187.96.
If LSG need to win the game, they will need to make sure they get early goals, which they have done this season. Punjab’s middle order has been relatively untested this season and Lucknow will look at that ahead of the preparations for the competition.
PBKS vs LSG: SPOT AND CONDITIONS
The surface used on Sunday is one that has not been used in any of New Chandigarh’s last 13 matches. The exact nature is yet to be determined, but judging by those next door, it could prove to be a mixed bag.
The weather is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures likely to touch 37C, with dew possibly playing a role later in the game.
PBKS vs LSG: PREDICTED XIS AND SUBS IMPACT
Punjab Kings (Starting XI): Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Shock Submarine: Nehal Wadhera
Lucknow Super Giants (Starting XI): Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (captain), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Prince Yadav,
Impact under: Mayank Yadav/Digvesh Rathi
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
19 Apr 2026 12:01 IST
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