My work is done now I'm rooting for Mumbai: Shreyas Iyer puts PBKS hopes in MI's hands

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has admitted that he will now “support Mumbai” after his stunning unbeaten century against Lucknow Super Giants kept PBKS alive in the play-off race of IPL 2026. The Mumbai-born batsman produced one of the knocks of the season just when Punjab desperately needed him, but qualification now depends entirely on Mumbai Indians beating Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.

PBKS snapped a disastrous six-game losing streak in emphatic fashion as Shreyas smashed an unbeaten 101 off just 51 balls to lead Punjab to a dominant seven-wicket win over LSG. The win took Punjab to 15 points from 14 matches and temporarily lifted them to fourth place in the table.

LSG vs PBKS, IPL 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

However, their fate in the playoffs is no longer in their own hands.

If Rajasthan Royals lose to Mumbai Indians in their last league match, PBKS will qualify for the playoffs. But if RR win, Punjab will be eliminated despite Shreyas’ heroics.

Speaking after the match, the PBKS skipper admitted that the support from the Punjab camp will now be nervous for Mumbai Indians, his hometown franchise and his home team.

“I’m ecstatic to be honest. It’s my first hundred of the season and it came at the right time when the team needed it,” Shreyas said during the post-match presentation.

“We finally got a win after six straight losses. It’s a great positive and we just hope to support MI tomorrow.”

Shreyas’ hundred arrived in a high-pressure chase against Lucknow after Punjab lost Priyansh Arya off the first ball and Cooper Connolly cheaply in the opening overs. But the PBKS skipper completely changed the momentum alongside Prabhsimran Singh and put together a match-winning 140-run partnership for the third wicket.

Prabhsimran smashed 69 off 39 balls while Shreyas accelerated brilliantly after his half-century to score his last 51 runs in just 18 deliveries.

The Punjab captain eventually brought up his first IPL century with a six off Mohsin Khan, a knock that also sealed the win for PBKS.

PBKS PLAYOFF SCENARIO AFTER LSG WIN

Punjab Kings have now completed their league phase with 15 points from 14 matches.

Here’s what PBKS needs now:

Rajasthan Royals must lose against Mumbai Indians
If RR lose, PBKS will qualify for the playoffs with 15 points
If RR win, Rajasthan will advance and PBKS will be eliminated
Kolkata Knight Riders can also still reach 15 points if they beat Delhi Capitals
In that case, the qualification between KKR and PBKS could be decided by Net Run Rate

PBKS currently sits at the top with playoff hopes alive until Sunday

Mumbai Indians themselves are already out of playoff contention and will now effectively play the role of spoilers against Rajasthan Royals.

HOW PBKS PREPARED FOR A MUST-WIN GAME

Interestingly, Shreyas revealed after the game that Punjab were deliberately avoiding too elaborate preparations ahead of the high-pressure clash against Lucknow.

After six straight defeats, the PBKS captain felt the side needed freedom rather than tactical discussions and pressure-filled meetings.

“We didn’t say anything, we just simplified it,” Shreyas explained.

“Rather than having meetings, putting more pressure on the guys. You kind of get lost in the previous losses when you’re discussing a lot.”

“It’s important that you leave them alone. In key matches, the free flow of the mind is required. You don’t want to make them think in pressure situations.”

Shreyas even revealed that he told head coach Ricky Ponting to avoid team meetings altogether before the match.

“I literally told Ricky today, let’s not do any team meetings. Let’s just go to the floor and do our rituals that we’ve been doing consistently and we could see the result.”

This relaxed approach was certainly reflected in Punjab’s batting.

Chasing 197, PBKS batted aggressively throughout the innings and completed the chase in just 18 overs. Shreyas looked particularly destructive against Mohammed Shami, smashing him for three sixes in one while dismantling the LSG spinners with signature swings and lofted drives.

For now, though, the Punjab dressing room can only wait.

And somewhere in that wait, one of Mumbai cricket’s biggest stars will be hoping his hometown franchise does one last favor for PBKS’s playoff dream.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

24 May 2026 0:24 IST

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