Punjab Kings are battling chaos and pressure with their playoff hopes on the line against LSG

Punjab Kings go into their last league match against Lucknow Super Giants knowing that the margin for error has completely disappeared. A few weeks ago, they looked a comfortable finish in the playoffs and were being talked about as one of the strongest sides in IPL 2026. Now, after six straight defeats, Shreyas Iyer’s side need a win on Saturday and favorable results elsewhere just to stay alive in the tournament.

The dramatic shift in their season was hard to ignore. Punjab looked unstoppable during the first half of the campaign, playing aggressive cricket that overpowered the opposition. Their stunning 265-run chase against Delhi Capitals on April 25 captured everything that made them dangerous – fearless batting, calm finishing under pressure and the confidence to continue the attack regardless of the situation. With six wins in their first seven games, PBKS quickly established themselves as serious contenders.

Since then, however, the campaign has fizzled out alarmingly quickly. The defeats not only hurt Punjab on the points table but also exposed the cracks that were hidden during the winning run. A batting line-up that once dominated the overs struggled to keep pace, while the bowling attack repeatedly failed to close out crucial moments of the game. The pressure only increased with each loss and Punjab remained in position where even a win in their last match may not guarantee qualification.

PBKS LOOKING FOR LOST MOMENTUM

Punjab Kings are on a six-game losing streak. Courtesy: Reuters

Punjab’s biggest asset at the start of the season was the fearless intent that showed their top order. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh regularly gave explosive starts to the side, allowing the middle order to attack from the start rather than rebuilding the innings. That momentum has faded a lot in the last few games.

Priyansh managed just one half-century in his last seven innings and was dismissed for a duck in the previous match, while Prabhsimran also struggled to produce the consistency he showed during Punjab’s strong start to the season. Whenever Punjab lose their first wickets now, the innings slows down quickly and the pressure becomes visible.

Shreyas Iyer’s dip in form has added to these concerns. The Punjab skipper looked completely in control during the team’s winning campaign but has struggled to influence games in the same manner in recent matches. He crossed fifty only once during the losing streak and without his presence to hold the innings together, Punjab’s middle order looked vulnerable.

The problems went beyond batting. Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson have been unable to play consistently with the ball, especially in the death overs, while Yuzvend Chahal’s season has swung between match-winning spells and expensive outings. The Punjab struggle also hurt themwith dropped catches being costly in pressure situations. The decision to leave out Marc Jansen in the previous match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru reflected a side still searching for the right combination at the end of the season.

There were still a few positives. Azmatullah Omarzai continued to impress with his all-round contributions, while Shashank Singh’s struggle against RCB at least offered some middle-order resistance. Punjab know they still have enough firepower to turn the game around quickly if their key players rediscover their rhythm at the right time.

LSG LOOK TO PLAY SPOILERS

Lucknow Super Giants will look to become spoilers for the Punjab Kings. Courtesy: Reuters

Lucknow Super Giants may already be out of playoff contention, but their recent performances suggest that they are more than capable of making life difficult for Punjab. At the Ekana Stadium, LSG have shown much more control and confidence, securing wins over Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings in their last matches.

Their batting line-up, especially at the top, looked dangerous. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis were outstanding against Rajasthan Royals in the previous game, adding 109 runs in just 8.2 overs to put LSG in a commanding position early in the chase. Nicholas Pooran has also looked better in recent games after a quiet mid-season spell.

Attention will also be paid to Rishabh Pant, whose season never took off either as a batsman or as a captain. With only fifty in the tournament so far, Pant will be keen to finish on a positive note in front of the home crowd. However, LSG’s bowling attack has lacked consistency throughout the season Prince Yadav has emerged as one of the finest performerswhile Mohammed Shami’s availability remains uncertain after missing the previous match.

HOW CAN PBKS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?

Punjab Kings face a must-win situation in their last league match against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday, but even a win may not be enough to secure a place in the playoffs. Currently fifth in the table, the Shreyas Iyer-led team is dependent on other results as well.

Punjab need Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals in Sunday’s encounter, while Kolkata Knight Riders must not move ahead of them on points or net pace after their match against Delhi Capitals. A Rajasthan win would keep Punjab alive in the race, while a KKR win could bring pure run rate into play. PBKS currently has a slight lead over KKR in this department.

LSG vs PBKS: HEAD-TO-HEAD

Punjab Kings have a slight edge over Lucknow Super Giants in the competition with a 4-3 head-to-head record, including a 2-1 advantage at the Ekana Stadium. PBKS have also dominated the recent meetings between the two sides, winning all three encounters since IPL 2025. Earlier this season in Mullanpur, Punjab produced one of the batting performances of the tournament, amassing 254 against LSG in a thrilling victory.

LUCKNOW WEATHER AND COURSE CONDITIONS

Lucknow is set for another scorching evening with temperatures expected to remain well above 40 degrees during the day before getting slightly closer to match time.

While the Ekana Stadium was initially seen as one of the more player-friendly venues this season, the trend has shifted in recent matches. High-scoring matches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings saw batting become much easier after the set-up, with LSG winning both matches at home.

At the start of the innings, the pacers should still have some movement, especially in the lights, but the batsmen who survive the opening phase are likely to be in better shape as the match progresses. The chase has also remained a significant advantage at the venue, with teams winning the second nine of the 13 matches here since IPL 2025, barring the Super Over involving KKR.

LSG vs PBKS: TEAM NEWS

Lucknow Super Giants are unlikely to have Aiden Markram available for their final league game after the South African opener returned home due to personal reasons and missed the previous game as well. Mohammed Shami was also missing from the last match, although there was no injury update on the veteran pacer from the franchise.

Punjab Kings, meanwhile, have no injury or availability concerns ahead of the must-win game.

LSG vs PBKS: PREDICTED PLAYING XI

LSG PREDICT PLAYING XI: Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav.

Impact Sub: Digvesh Rathi

PBKS PREDICTED PLAYING XI: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (c), Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh.

Impact: Yuzvenda Chahal

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

23 May 2026 10:29 IST

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