Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings IPL, 2026, Full Score Card

SIX! MAIDEN IPL HUNDRED FOR IYER! He has finished things off in style, and PUNJAB KINGS WIN BY 7 WICKETS. Mohsin Khan goes full again and on off, gives no pace. Shreyas Iyer steps across to get underneath it and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. A big smile on the face of the Punjab skipper, as he has scored an exceptional unbeaten century to keep his team alive in the tournament.

Sticks to the shorter length, on off, slower again, Suryansh Shedge pats it towards cover-point for one.

Bangs this into the pitch and outside off, Shreyas Iyer steps across and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Just 4 runs to win now for Punjab!

Short of a length and around off, takes pace off, Shreyas Iyer tries to cut it away but misses.

On a length and on off, Suryansh Shedge steers it towards point for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! Back of a length and outside off, Suryansh Shedge throws his hands at it. Gets it from the cue-end of the bat but well wide of short third for a boundary. PBKS are just one big hit away from the win, while Iyer is also 6 runs away from his ton.

Full toss once more, outside off, Suryansh Shedge drives it wide of long off for one more.

Another low full toss, around off, Shreyas Iyer stays deep inside his crease and drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Just wide! A slower one, full and on middle, Suryansh Shedge looks to work it across the line but closes the bat face early. It goes off the leading edge wide of the bowler, where Arjun stretches his left hand but the ball just goes past him. They cross.

In the blockhole, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer tucks it away through mid-wicke for a run.

Fuller and around leg, Suryansh Shedge clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. PBKS need just 14 runs to win now!

Low full toss, on off, Suryansh Shedge drills it back to the bowler.

Arjun Tendulkar to continue...

SIX! That is some shot to finish the over. A tad fuller, on off, Shreyas Iyer takes a step forward and launches it over long on for a biggie. Shreyas Iyer moves to 92 now. 20 runs off the over. Punjab need 15 more runs.

Mohammad Shami bangs it short, on off, Shreyas Iyer looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces back to the bowler. Dot.

Short, on off, Shreyas Iyer plays an uppercut over the keeper's head for a brace.

SIX! Shreyas Iyer looks in a hurry! A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer stays back and flicks it over deep mid-wicket. Digvesh Singh, near the fence, dives and takes the catch but lands over the ropes.

Good length, on off, Shreyas Iyer taps it back to the bowler.

SIX! What a wonderful shot from Shreyas Iyer! Back of a length, around the waist, Shreyas Iyer swivels, uses the pace of the ball, and helps it effortlessly over fine leg for a biggie.

Strategic Break! Finally, something to cheer for the Lucknow fans, but it looks like the game has slipped away from LSG, unless something extraordinary happens. The partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh has made the difference in this game. Punjab can now even try to finish things off early to make the NRR even better, if it comes down to that. Suryansh Shedge is the next man in. Also, Mohammad Shami comes back into the attack.

OUT! LBW! That's the end of Prabhsimran Singh. First wicket for Arjun Tendulkar this season. He nails a pinpoint yorker, on middle. Prabhsimran Singh shuffles across and looks to flick it, but gets beaten as the ball under his blade and hits his shoes. A loud appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Prabhsimran Singh does not review this one. He walks back after a fine knock. Punjab Kings are 162/3, and they now need 35 runs in 30 balls.

Much fuller, on leg, Shreyas Iyer works it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries from the skipper! Arjun Tendulkar follows Shreyas Iyer down leg. Shreyas shuffles across, uses the pace of the ball, and guides it over backward point for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Shreyas Iyer finds the gap this time! A low full toss from Arjun Tendulkar, on leg, Shreyas Iyer picks it well and flicks it through mid-wicket as the ball races away to the fence.

Nice and full, on off, Shreyas Iyer lifts it down the ground. Nicholas Pooran runs to his left, dives, and makes a good stop near the fence. The batters collect two runs.

Much fuller, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh shuffles across and flicks it to short fine leg for a single.

Bangs it short, on leg, Prabhsimran Singh pulls it awkwardly towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! The onslaught continues from Prabhsimran Singh! Slightly shorter and slower too. Prabhsimran Singh stays back in his crease and slams it over wide mid off for a boundary.

Prince Yadav keeps it full again, on off, Shreyas Iyer knocks it to mid on for a single.

FOUR! That's a cracking shot from Shreyas Iyer! A tad fuller, on off, Shreyas Iyer rocks onto his back foot and drills it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Hard length, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh guides it through the right of the keeper for a single.

Prabhsimran Singh survives yet again! Hard length, on off, Prabhsimran Singh stays back and drives it to extra cover, but doesn't quite connect it well. The ball carries towards Badoni, who bends low and takes a good catch. The umpires check for a clean catch, and the replays show that Badoni's fingers were pointing down on the ground and were not beneath the ball.

Is that a clean catch? Prabhsimran Singh has been asked to wait by the umpires, but Ayush Badoni seems confident here. After watching the replays from different angles, the third umpire deems that the fingers are not underneath the ball. Another life for Singh.

Last throw of the dice as Rishabh Pant brings back Prince Yadav into the attack.

SIX! That's a massive hit from Shreyas Iyer! Digvesh Singh fires it in, on middle and leg, Shreyas Iyer gets down on one knee and slogs it high over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Sliding on, on a good length, on middle. Prabhsimran Singh nurdles it through mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! That's a fine shot! Flatter, on middle and leg, shorter too. Prabhsimran Singh swivels and pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Another single and that brings up Fifty for Shreyas Iyer! A googly, on middle, Shreyas Iyer tucks it to mid-wicket for a single. Brings up his 6th half-century of the season, does the Punjab skipper and he has looked like a man on a mission tonight.

Fired in, on off, Prabhsimran Singh knocks it wide of mid on for another run.

Digvesh Singh bowls a shorter one, on off, Shreyas Iyer punches it through extra cover for a single.

Change? Yes, Digvesh Singh is back on.

Pace on now, on a hard length, on off. Prabhsimran stays leg side of the ball and punches it to the left of deep cover for a couple of runs. 14 runs off the over. The Kings need 72 runs from 48 balls.

FOUR! In the gap! Off-cutter, on a back of a good length. Prabhsimran Singh waits on it the back foot and hammers the pull through mid-wicket. Arjun Tendulkar covers good ground to his left in the deep and dives. He gets a hand on it but it is not enough. That also brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Pace off and into the surface, on off. Shreyas drags the pull in front of square on the leg side for a single.

That will be FIFTY for Prabhsimran Singh. 6th half-century of the season for Prabhsimran and this has come in a must-win game for his side. Dropped on 20, Singh is really making the lifeline count. Full and on off. Singh knocks it towards extra cover for a single.

FOUR! Nicely done! Mohsin digs it in short, going away from the right-hander. Prabhsimran Singh knows that there is no one in the deep at fine leg, nor is there anyone inside the circle. Singh steps across the stumps and gets under the ball. He shovels it down to the vacant deep fine leg region and picks up a boundary to move to 49.

Tucking the batter up for room, on a hard length. Prabhsimran Singh advances and swings across the line. He mistimes the pull in front of deep mid-wicket. Digvesh Singh in the deep is a bit slow to get to the ball and Prabhsimran comes back for the second run.

On a short of a good length, outside off. Prabhsimran Singh goes hard on the pull and ends up snatching at it. Gets an inside edge and the ball goes through backward square leg for just a single. Just 6 runs off the over. 86 needed from 54 balls.

Slower, short ball, near the tramline. Singh tries to play the upper cut but does not connect.

Very full, on middle and leg. Iyer wrists it through mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Good effort! Into the wicket, on off, Iyer does not have much pace to work it but he arches back and plays the upper cut down to deep third. Mohsin Khan is quick to his left and makes the stop by getting low. Two runs taken.

Oh, nearly dragged it back onto the stumps. Shami pushes the length up, outside off. Prabhsimran shimmies down the track and throws his hands at the ball. Gets an inside edge and the ball sneaks just past the off stump. Rishabh Pant dives to his left to make the stop but cannot prevent the batters from taking the single.

Shami delivers it on a back of a length, outside off. Shreyas rides the bounce and punches it to deep cover for a run.

Stays short, on off. This is punched to deep cover for a run. At the halfway mark, Punjab are 105/2, needing 92 runs from 60 balls.

FOUR! This time to the right of backward point. Drops it short, outside off, does Digvesh. Iyer needs no second invitation. He presses back and cuts it past backward point for four more.

A bit of air given, fuller and outside off. Shreyas pushes it a bit uppishly to cover.

FOUR! Fine shot! A bit short, on off. Shreyas presses back and cuts it late to thread the gap between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Flatter and shorter, on off. Singh rocks back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Floated up, full and on middle. Iyer eases it to wide long on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Punjab Kings have lost two wickets, but the duo of Prabhsimran Singh and the skipper, Shreyas Iyer, have done well so far. They have stitched a partnership of 72 runs from 40 balls so far. It's a must-win game for Punjab Kings, and they will feel they are ahead in the chase at the moment. They need 103 from 66 balls. Lucknow Super Giants have nothing to lose. They will be trying to end their campaign on a high note with a win. Let's see how it pans out...

SIX! Into the stands! Fractionally short, on middle, Prabhsimran takes a step across the stumps and also goes deep in the crease. Nails the pull over backward square leg for a six. 15 runs off the over. 25 off the last 2. PBKS require 103 runs in 66 balls.

Fuller and wider on off, Prabhsimran Singh ends up giving himself too much room. He reaches out but fails to connect.

FOUR! Smart batting! Arjun spots Prabhsimran stepping out and he responds with a short ball, on middle and leg. Singh halts his charge and plays the upper cut over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Angling across, on the fuller in length. Shreyas angles the drive to the right of cover for a single.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes. Dug in short, over the left shoulder. Iyer swivels and gets his hands high to hook it aerially to the left of the man at deep fine leg.

At 132.5 kph, on a good length, on off. Iyer walks across and plays it on the up. It goes on the bounce to the man at mid off.

SIX! A pressure-releasing shot! Mohsin Khan once again takes pace off, serves this full and on off. Prabhsimran Singh reads it early, steps across and tonks it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Slower again, on a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer pats it in front of backward point for one. A direct hit from the fielder at the batter's end, but Singh is well in.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, Prabhsimran Singh reaches out and slaps it to sweeper cover for another run.

Pace off, hard length and around off, Prabhsimran Singh steers it away towards backward point.

Short of a length and on middle and off, Shreyas Iyer lifts his front leg up and pulls it away wide of deep square leg. Nicholas Pooran quickly moves to his right and makes a fine diving stop. They cross.

Back of a length and around off, Prabhsimran Singh miscues his swat off the bottom half of the bat to long on for a single.

Mohsin Khan (1-0-11-0) returns to the attack.

Good length and around leg, Prabhsimran Singh flicks it away to deep square leg for one more.

Hard length and on off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it through covers for one.

DROPPED! Almost a wicket for Tendulkar! Arjun bowls a well-directed bumper, on middle and leg, Prabhsimran Singh gets hurried on his pull shot and gloves it behind. Rishabh Pant flings himself to his left, gets both hands on it but just fails to hold on to it.

Hits the deck hard and around off, Shreyas Iyer steps across and punches it to sweeper covers for a single. With that, Iyer reaches 7000 T20 runs. A fine achievement!

On a length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer stays back in his crease and pats it back to the bowler.

Back of a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer dabs it down to point.

Done with the Powerplay. PBKS require 132 runs from 84 balls. At the same stage, the Lucknow Super Giants were 66/2. Arjun Tendulkar to bowl now.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Prabhsimran Singh drills it off the inside half of the bat wide of mid on. Nicholas Pooran gives a good chase and dives forward to collect the ball. He releases it quickly as well to keep it down to two runs. PBKS are 65/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Much fuller and on off, shaping in, Shreyas Iyer knocks it towards mid off for one.

WIDE! Bangs in quick and sharp bouncer, on off, but a bit too high for the batter, Shreyas Iyer leaves it alone.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A bit too full and angling into the pads, there to be put away. Shreyas Iyer takes it on the full and whips it away behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Good length and on off, Shreyas Iyer gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Slight halt! Prince Yadav struggled with his run-up. It looked like he had an issue with his hamstring. Looks fine now, and we are good to continue...

A full toss, on middle, tailing in late, Prabhsimran Singh looks to tuck it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball stops on the pitch. Iyer sets off for the run and Prince also runs forward towards the ball. He picks it up but misses his shy at the batter's end. Iyer made his ground anyway.

Fuller delivery and around off, Shreyas Iyer opens the bat face and drives it square through point for a single.

Wrong'un, short and on middle, turns in, Shreyas Iyer clips it through square leg for one more. 14 runs off the over!

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on off, Prabhsimran Singh guides it towards backward point and scampers across for a single.

FOUR! This is turning out to be a great over for PBKS! A googly, full and on middle, turns in. Prabhsimran Singh goes down on one knee, gets inside the line of it and swipes it over backward square leg for another boundary. 50 UP FOR PBKS.

Flighted, full and on middle, Prabhsimran Singh muscles it off the bottom half of the bat down to long on for a brace.

FOUR! Deft touch! Flatter delivery, short and on off. Prabhsimran Singh waits for it, opens the bat face and uses the pace of the ball to steer it away from short third for a boundary.

Uppish but safe! Floated, full and around leg, Prabhsimran Singh looks to paddle it away but gets a top edge. It goes high in the air and lands well over the short fine leg fielder who mops it up. Two taken.

Time for spin as Digvesh Singh has been tossed the ball.

FOUR! Shreyas Iyer is dealing in boundaries! Good length, on off, Shreyas Iyer latches onto it and drills it between cover and mid off for a boundary.

Lands it on a good length, on off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it to the cover fielder.

FOUR! Wonderful timing from the skipper! Hard length, just outside off, Shreyas Iyer makes room and punches it magnificently through point for a boundary.

Nice and full, on off, Prabhsimran Singh knocks it to the left of mid off for another run.

Across off, on a short of a length. Iyer punches it to deep point for a single.

Mohsin Khan starts with a fuller one, on off, Prabhsimran Singh drives it to cover for a single.

FOUR MORE! Back-to-back boundaries from Shreyas Iyer! A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Iyer picks it well and flicks it through mid-wicket for four more.

FOUR! Shreyas Iyer gets off the mark with a boundary! Hard length, on off, Shreyas Iyer punches it to extra cover. The fielder dives to his right and gets a hand to it. The ball deflects as the mid off fielder dives and tries to stop it, but fails to do so. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary.

Back of a length again, on off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it to the cover fielder.

Shami drags his length back, on off, Shreyas Iyer flicks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

Shreyas Iyer comes out to the middle. Two slips in place for the Punjab skipper.

OUT! TIMBER! Mohammad Shami gets another wicket. A much fuller ball, on off, with a hint of away movement. Cooper Connolly hangs back and goes hard on the drive, looking to go down the ground. He gets beaten on the outside edge as the ball hits the off stump. It is all two's at the moment. Punjab Kings are 22/2 after 2.2 overs, needing 175 runs from 106 balls.

Good length, just outside off, Prabhsimran Singh stays back and steers it through cover for a single.

In the air... safe! Yadav bangs it short, around off, Cooper Connolly looks to pull it, but the ball gets big on him. The ball lobs but evades the bowler and lands safely in front of the mid on fielder. Dot to end the over.

Back of a length, on off, Cooper Connolly moves across and punches it through covers for a brace.

FOUR MORE! Finds the gap again! Prince Yadav goes full again, on off, Cooper Connolly makes room and drives it in the gap through extra cover for another boundary.

FOUR! Through the gap and it races away! A tad fuller, on middle and leg, Cooper Connolly hops a bit and pushes at the ball with hard hands. Ekes out an inside edge that goes through square leg for a boundary.

Yadav drags his length back a bit, on off, Prabhsimran Singh steers it through backward point for a single.

Prince Yadav starts with a full ball, on off, Prabhsimran Singh pushes it back to the bowler.

Prince Yadav will share the attack.

A good over from Mohammad Shami. Length, on off, Cooper Connolly pushes it to the cover fielder.

Wide! Width, way outside off, Cooper Connolly looks to play at it but misses. Wided.

Good length, outside off, Cooper Connolly tries to slap it but gets a bottom edge. The ball bounces back to the keeper. Dot.

FOUR! Brilliant from Cooper Connolly! Short and wide, Connolly latches onto it and smashes it past backward point as the ball races away to the fence in a flash.

Hard length, on off, Cooper Connolly punches it to the cover fielder.

FOUR! A poor delivery from Mohammad Shami! Too full, down the leg side, Cooper Connolly uses the pace of the ball and tickles it through fine leg for a boundary to get off the mark.

Wide! Wayward, outside off, Cooper Connolly leaves it alone. Wide called.

An inauspicious start for the Kings. Cooper Connolly comes in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Mohammad Shami strikes first ball. A perfect start for LSG. Mohammad Shami bangs its short, around the right shoulder of Priyansh Arya. Arya swivels and looks to pull it, but gets it high on the splice of the bat. The ball lobs in the air towards short mid-wicket. Arjun Tendulkar moves a bit forward and takes the easiest of the catches. Priyansh Arya walks back for a golden duck.

FOUR! A boundary to end the innings. 1 run off the first 3 balls, but the over ends up going for 17 runs. LSG finish with 196/6. Arshdeep switches to around the wicket and slips in a full ball, outside off. With two men inside the circle at short third, Samad opens the bat face and slices it, clearing both men and picking up a boundary. A forgettable outing for Arshdeep as he finishes with figures of 3-0-52-0.

Wide! Sticks to the wide yorker, but this is beyond the guideline. Samad does not shuffle this time and picks up the wide.

Wide! Arshdeep sprays it well wide on off, almost at the edge of the cut strip. Samad lets it pass.

FOUR! Not where Samad intended, but he will take it. Back to the wide yorker, outside off. Abdul throws his hands at the ball, looking to go over cover. The ball flies off an outside edge and goes well wide of short third to his right for a boundary.

SIX! Abdul Samad finally gets one away! Arshdeep moves away from the yorker plan and pays the price. He bangs it into the surface, across the batter. Samad is standing outside the line of the off stump and he drags the pull over mid-wicket for a six.

No single taken! Arshdeep spots Samad shuffle and he bowls a straighter line this time. Low full toss, closer to the off stump. Abdul chips it in front of long on. Arjun is halfway through but Abdul sends him back.

Another dot! At 134.8 kph, gets the wide yorker in, Samad shuffles across to connect. Gets an inside edge and it rolls to short fine leg.

Bowls the wide yorker at the tramline. Abdul reaches out and bunts it to long off but refuses the single.

Wide! Samad is standing on the off stump and Arshdeep tries to push it away from the batter. Sprays it a bit too wide on off. Samad shoulders arms.

Final over coming up now. Arshdeep Singh has been trusted with it, despite going for 35 runs in his first couple of overs.

Vyshak goes wide on the crease and digs it in short, around the left shoulder. Tendulkar ducks under it. It did not look to be over the head, but Arjun has taken the review, hoping to overturn the decision of the fair delivery to a wide for height. Arjun's head is measured at 1.913 metres and the ball is passing him at 1.636 metres. It is a fair delivery. Just 6 runs off the over. It has been 14 balls since the last boundary.

Changes his length as he bowls it short, over middle. Samad stands tall and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for one more run.

Switches to around the wicket and serves it on a length, on off. Tendulkar smacks it back towards the bowler. Vyshak sticks out the left boot and the ball deflects off his ankle towards cover. Just a single.

Low full toss, outside off. Arjun extends his hands and plays a punchy drive to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Full and going across from around the wicket. Samad hangs deep in the crease and swings at it. Gets it off the inner half through mid-wicket for a single.

At 134.1 kph, angling away, on a back of a length. Tendulkar punches it on the up to the right of mid off and hurries to the other end.

Who bowls the 19th? It will be Vijaykumar Vyshak.

At the sticks, bowled on a good length. Arjun punches it wide of cover and gets off the mark with a single.

The next batter in is Arjun Tendulkar.

OUT! CAUGHT! A fine catch by Praveen Dubey. Fuller in length by Marco, on middle and leg. Mukul Choudhary clears the front leg and looks to whip it away using his bottom hand. He does not connect on the lofted hit as well as he would have liked and it goes towards wide long on. The sub fielder, Dubey moves across to his right and dives to take a good catch. 4 runs and 2 wickets in the last 7 balls. Good phase for PBKS.

Skidding through, on a back of a length, just outside off. Mukul swings across the line for the pull but is beaten as the ball goes under the blade.

Takes pace off and it is on a shortish length, Samad helps the pull behind square leg for a single.

A well-directed bumper at the bodyline of the batter. Mukul Choudhary gets into a tangle as he tries to duck under it. Fends it awkwardly through backward square leg for a run.

Across off, on a back of a length. Abdul drags the pull through mid-wicket for a single.

A massive wicket for PBKS in the context of this game. Mukul Choudhary walks out to bat now. Also, Shashank Singh is off the field with a hamstring issue.

OUT! CAUGHT! An unusually straight long on comes right into play as Inglis holes out. Bowled into the surface by Singh, outside off. Inglis shuffles across and stands tall to go down the ground with a flat bat. He does not quite get the desired elevation and Shreyas Iyer sprints to his left and takes the catch close to his chest. End of a top knock by Inglis.

Fractionally short, on off. Samad taps it through point for a run.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count! Takes pace off and bowls it near the tramline, on a good length. Samad reaches out to force it away on the off side. Gets an inside edge and the ball beats the keeper to his left before racing into the fence.

Beaten! Back to pace on and the length is dragged back, outside off. Samad flashes but is beaten for pace.

SIX! High and handsome! Shashank Singh rolls his fingers over the ball but dishes it out right in the slot, on off. Samad clears the front leg and with a clean swing of the arms, he dispatches it over long on for a biggie.

Lands it on a good length, on off. Inglis plays the lofted stroke on the up back over the bowler's head. Shreyas Iyer at a straightish long on cuts it off. Single taken.

Strategic Break! Punjab Kings have pulled things back a bit in the last few overs, but they need to finish well in the death overs. They will be hoping to get the wicket of Josh Inglis quickly, which could make a difference of 20-30 runs in the final total. Lucknow Super Giants have the platform to go big in the last four overs, but they are playing one batter short, which could lead them to take calculated risks and not just swing for the hills. It will be an exciting phase, and it could not only define this game but also define the season for Punjab. Also, Shashank Singh to bowl after the break.

Pushes the length up, on middle. Abdul Samad presses forward and firms the drive to mid off.

SIX! Up, up and over! Short of a length, pitching it on middle and slanting it away. Abdul Samad skips down the track and flat bats it back over the bowler's head for half a dozen.

Pace off, on a good length, on middle. Inglis has a swipe across the line. He mistimes it wide of square leg, where the ball drops out of the reach of Suryansh Shedge. They cross.

Slower back-of-a-length delivery, on middle and off. Abdul Samad looks to pull but gets a top edge. The ball loops and drops toward the off side. Single taken. The 150 comes up for LSG.

Dug in short, over middle. Inglis hooks it down to deep fine leg for one.

Back of a length, around the leg stump. Abdul Samad misses this clip and wears on the thigh pad, before the ball rolls to point for a leg bye.

Marco Jansen is back on. His figures read 2-0-20-1 so far. Punjab Kings use their Impact Sub and bring in Marcus Stoinis, replacing Yuzvendra Chahal.

Yuzvendra Chahal is substituted by Marcus Stoinis

FOUR! Excellent innovation! Shashank Singh goes searching for the wide yorker, outside off. Inglis shuffles across and gets his hands through the line of the ball. Plays the reverse scoop over short third for a boundary. 13 runs off the over.

Back of a length, outside off. Abdul Samad shuffles across to cover the stump and punches it toward cover-point to get across for one run.

Seam-up ball, on a nagging length, Inglis throws his hands at the ball and smacks it wide of deep cover. Azmatullah Omarzai is swift to his left and tidies up. Just a single.

Much fuller, outside off. Josh Inglis plants his front foot and drives it to the right of the deep cover fielder. The batter runs hard for the first one and gets the second in time.

WIDE! Bumper, but way over the batter, outside off. Josh Inglis hops and looks to upper cut it, but fails to connect.

On a good length, outside off, Inglis attempts the reverse ramp but misses.

FOUR! Edged and away. Bangs this into the wicket, on off. Josh Inglis rocks back and looks to slap it away, but gets nicked on the outside edge, and it flies wide of the keeper for four runs.

Flighted up, full and on middle. Abdul Samad defends it out.

Shreyas Iyer will be a very relieved man to see the back of LSG's skipper. Abdul Samad is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! High but not long enough. The drop does not cost Punjab much. Yuzvendra Chahal is charged up as he lets out a big roar. Chahal dishes out the googly, full and on middle. Pant gets down on a knee for the slog sweep, targeting the backward square leg fence. He does not quite get hold of it and it goes only as far as Marco Jansen in the deep, who bends and takes the catch with ease. The 65-run stand has been broken.

FOUR! Insult to injury. He pitches it fuller, offering some flight, around the pads of the batter. Rishabh Pant gets down on his one knee and shovels it over the short fine leg fielder for four runs.

DROPPED! That has gone right through. Sliding across on a length. Pant reaches out and picks the bones out of it. Hits it uppishly to extra cover, where Shreyas Iyer moves to his left and the ball comes to him around his waist. Iyer gets on his knees to take the catch but the ball bursts through his hands and goes behind. A couple of runs taken. How costly will this prove to be?

Looped up, on leg. Inglis steps out and converts the ball into a full toss before flicking it away through mid wicket for a single.

Short and wide outside off, Rishabh Pant at first comes down the track, but as he sees the ball going away from his body, he extends his arms and pushes it to short third for a single.

A superb over from Shashank Singh, pulling a bit of momentum back for Punjab. Change of ends for Yuzvendra Chahal.

Keeps it away from Pant's hitting arc. On the fuller side. Rishabh slams it on the bounce to the man at deep cover. Just a single.

Much fuller, just outside off, Josh Inglis connects his reverse ramp this time toward the left of the deep backward point fielder and gets a single.

Lands it on a good length, near the tramline. Pant slaps it to deep cover and turns the strike over.

Back of a length, wide outside off. Josh Inglis cuts it late to deep backward point for a single.

Beaten again! Fuller and in the channel on off. Inglis looks to play the square drive but the ball is not that wide and he is beaten for pace too as the ball skids through.

Singh bangs it on a hard length, around off. Josh Inglis makes room and attempts to reverse ramp it over short third but fails to get the connection.

Will Yuzvendra Chahal bowl out? Nope, they are saving his last over. Shreyas Iyer brings in the golden arm of Shashank Singh into the attack.

Another expensive over from Arshdeep. 19 runs off it. Full and on middle. Inglis flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket. There is a fumble in the deep but that does not cost Punjab any extra run. Singh's figures read 2-0-35-0.

FOUR! Predetermined and effective as well. Good-length delivery, at the stumps. Josh Inglis shuffles across the stumps and scoops it well over the short fine leg fielder for four more runs. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

FIFTY FOR INGLIS! Back-to-back half-centuries for the Aussie and the third in five innings this season. Low full toss, going across. Inglis hangs low and reaches out. He carves it over the leaping backward point fielder. Yuzvendra Chahal sprints to his right in the deep and dives to prevent the boundary, saving a couple of runs for his side.

FOUR! Short and punished! Back of a length, on middle and off. Josh Inglis transfers his weight to his back foot and pulls it hard into the vast gap between long on and deep mid-wicket for four runs.

SIX! A gift and Inglis accepts it gleefully. Arshdeep goes searching for the yorker but he misses his mark by a long way. A knee-high full toss, on off with mid on up inside the circle. Inglis hangs back and muscles it over mid on for a six.

Wide! Another slower bumper but too high this time, around off. Inglis arches back to flay it over the keeper but misses.

Arshdeep Singh starts with a slower bouncer, just outside off. Rishabh Pant gets on his toes and checks his pull shot to square leg. They cross.

Arshdeep Singh is back with a change of ends. He went for 16 runs in his only over so far.

Nice and full, attacking the sticks. Pant clips it through mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single. A tidy over by Chahal, just 3 runs off it.

Much fuller and way outside off. Rishabh Pant has to lean toward the off side and stretch his hands to slap it, but it goes straight to the cover fielder.

Pushed across the left-hander but sneaking inside the tramline, on a good length. Pant lets it go.

Fullish, around off, Josh Inglis steps down the track and drills it to long on for one.

Tossed up, full and on leg. Rishabh steps out and flicks it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Sharp fielding by Chahal! Flighted and fuller, on middle. Rishabh Pant drives it hard, just toward the left of the bowler. Yuzvendra Chahal gets low to his left and makes a good stop.

SIX! 100 UP FOR LSG! Vijaykumar Vyshak bangs this into the pitch, around off, takes pace off as well. Josh Inglis goes through his pull shot a bit early, and it flies off the top edge towards the deep square leg fence. Arshdeep Singh, who is stationed there, settles himself and grabs the ball with both hands above his head with a leap, but while coming down, he steps on the cushions. The replay confirms it and the umpire signals a six.

Is it a six? Looks like it. Arshdeep Singh's feet seem to have come in contact with the boundary cushions before he could flick the ball back in. Yep, that is going to be signalled as a six.

FOUR! Gets it away! A low full toss, on off, Josh Inglis stays leg side of the ball, extends his arms and powers it between extra cover and mid off for a boundary.

Good-length delivery and around off, angles away, Rishabh Pant looks to drive it on the up but gets an outside edge towards third man for one.

Back of a length and outside off, Rishabh Pant cuts it away hard but straight to point.

A full toss, around off, Josh Inglis uses his feet and throws his bat at it, slicing it over backward point for a single.

Just short! Short of a length and outside off, follows the batter well. Josh Inglis moves across for the scoop but hits it from the inside half of the bat and on the bounce to short fine.

Last season, in LSG's final game after they had already been knocked out of the playoff race, Rishabh Pant produced a blistering 118* off 61 balls against RCB at this very venue. Vijaykumar Vyshak to continue...

Quicker one, full and on middle, Josh Inglis drives it down to long on for one more.

Much fuller, with some flight offered, just outside off, Rishabh Pant drives it along the carpet to long off for a single.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! Slower through the air, shortish and on leg, Rishabh Pant moves back to swipe it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads. Maybe pitching outside leg.

FOUR! What a shot that is! A touch fuller, angling away from the batter. Rishabh Pant gets on his back foot and frees his arms to slap it toward the left of the cover fielder for a boundary.

Floated, full and on leg, Rishabh Pant tucks it with soft hands through square leg and comes back for the second run. Good running!

Flighted and fuller, angling in, around the leg pole. Josh Inglis makes room and drives it toward wide long off for a single.

Hard length and angling into the batter, Josh Inglis nudges it to deep fine leg for one. 8 runs off Vyshak's first over!

WIDE! A slower bumper, on middle, but a bit too high, Josh Inglis sways away and tries to upper cut but misses.

Pitches it up, does Vyshak, on off, Rishabh Pant pushes it to the left of the bowler for a single.

Back of a length and around off, Rishabh Pant opens the bat face and steers it away but fails to beat point.

FOUR! Nearly dragged on. Lucky runs for Rishabh Pant. This is an excellent delivery from Vyshak, pitching it on off and going away from the left-hander. Rishabh Pant rocks back and looks to punch at it with a cross-bat, but gets nicked on the inside edge. The ball zips past the off stump and rolls away to deep fine leg for four runs.

Short of a length and around off, Josh Inglis drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Hard-length delivery, slanting in, around middle. Josh Inglis flicks it to short fine leg and is just about to set off for a single but Rishabh Pant says no.

Fires his one full and on leg, Josh Inglis works it through square leg for one.

Googly, around the leg stump. Rishabh Pant clips it to the right of short fine leg and gets a single.

With the fall of the wicket, it is time for the STRATEGIC BREAK. The teams have traded blows in the opening exchanges. Josh Inglis made an early statement before Punjab hit back. Ayush Badoni then burst out of the blocks with a rapid start, but his entertaining innings has now been cut short, and the Kings will be relieved to see the back of him. LSG will be keen to build a platform through the middle phase, with the likes of Abdul Samad and Mukul Choudhary waiting in the wings. Lucknow's skipper, Rishabh Pant joins Josh Inglis out in the middle.

OUT! STUMPED! A wicket against the run of play for Punjab, but some excellent presence of mind from Prabhsimran Singh. Yuzvendra Chahal bowls this flatter, short and just outside off. Ayush Badoni rocks back to cut it away but misses it. The keeper, Prabhsimran, collects it behind the stumps, waits for a moment and then clips the bails off. He looks pretty confident about this one and the square leg umpire sends it upstairs. First, UltraEdge comes up and shows a flat line on it. However, the replay shows that, after playing the shot, Badoni lifts his back leg up in the air, and at that exact moment, Singh breaks the stumps. A schoolboy error from Badoni, but he goes back after a quick-fire cameo and the 49-run stand is broken.

Stumped? Prabhsimran Singh looks quite confident. The third umpire is called into action. Replays show Badoni briefly lifted his back leg at the exact moment Prabhsimran whipped the bails off in a flash. OUT flashes on the big screen.

Tossed up, fuller, around the pads of the batter. Josh Inglis sweeps it to deep square leg and gets an easy single.

Drops it short and on middle, Ayush Badoni nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Chahal starts off with a shorter delivery, on middle and leg. Josh Inglis opens his stance and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Excellent finish to the Powerplay for LSG. 42 runs off the last 2 overs. First look at spin as Yuzvendra Chahal comes on.

FOUR! That's just wonderful timing! Tries the yorker but just misses it by an inch, angling in as well. Ayush Badoni backs away a bit and clips it away. He gets it wide of mid on, while Cooper Connolly in the deep runs to his left and dives, but the ball still finds its way to the fence. 24 runs off the 6th over. LSG are 66/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

In the air...but in the gap. Azmatullah Omarzai goes for a slower yorker now, but spills a low full toss. Ayush Badoni looks to tuck it to his leg side but gets a thick leading edge. The ball is skied behind cover and the batter gets a couple of runs.

SIX! Oh, my word! That has gone many a mile. Azmatullah Omarzai goes pace off, into the pitch and around off, sits up nicely for the batter. Ayush Badoni waits for it before smoking it way over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen more.

SIX! This is Ayush Badoni at his best. The way he is striking the ball tells us how confident he is right now. Full-length delivery, a bit slower than usual, on off and middle. Ayush Badoni winds up and unleashes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Much fuller this time and just around off. Ayush Badoni never tried to keep it down. He opens the bat face and slices it over backward point for a boundary.

WIDE! Just loses his line and lands this on a good length but down the leg side, Ayush Badoni fails to glance it away.

Fuller in length, pitching it just outside off and angling in. Josh Inglis clears his front foot to swat it across the line, but connects it from the inner part of his bat, toward the right of the mid on fielder. Single taken.

A third over on the trot for Azmatullah Omarzai. 2-0-5-1 so far for the Afghan all-rounder.

On a length and on middle, angling in, Ayush Badoni pats it back to the bowler. A productive over for LSG. 18 runs off it.

FOUR! Ayush Badoni is having a cracking start here. Jansen switches his side and comes around the wicket this time. Bowls on the back of a good length, just outside off. Ayush Badoni once again stays on his back foot, waits for the delivery to arrive and opens the face of the bat to steer it toward the right of Yuzvendra Chahal at short third for four more runs.

SIX! Even bigger and better! Short of a length but down the leg side and pace off too. Ayush Badoni picks it up early, gets on top of the bounce and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

FOUR! More runs! Back of a length, on middle. Ayush Badoni stays on his back foot and swings his willow hard to pull it over the mid on region for another boundary.

Typical fast bowler's response! Marco Jansen bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on middle, takes off a bit, Ayush Badoni looks to pull it away but fails to connect.

FOUR! Oh, Priyansh Arya should have done better there. Good-length delivery, on middle. Ayush Badoni gets on his front foot and just clips it through square leg. Priyansh sprints to his left in the deep and gets to the ball, but fails to flick it away. The ball hits the boundary cushion for four runs.

Pace off, back of a length and on off, Ayush Badoni tucks it in front of mid-wicket for one.

Much fuller and angling into the pads, Josh Inglis clips it through backward square leg for another run.

Overpitched delivery, on the sixth stump line, Ayush Badoni tries to play the lofted drive but gets an outside edge towards deep third for one.

Full again and around off, Ayush Badoni takes a couple of steps out to push it away but miscues it off the bottom part back to the bowler.

Pitched up and on middle, shaping in, Ayush Badoni steps across a bit and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on off, Josh Inglis drills it towards mid off for a quick single.

Hard-length delivery, on off, Ayush Badoni stays back and blocks it out. Back-to-back successful overs for PBKS!

Ayush Badoni makes his way out to bat.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! That sums up the whole season for Nicholas Pooran. It is dug into the surface by Marco Jansen, just around off, nips in a shy bit. Nicholas Pooran swivels and looks to pull it across the line. He completely loses his shape and only manages to get an inside edge back onto the stumps. LSG are 20/2 now.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, jags back in, Josh Inglis gets hurried to heave it away and misses as the ball goes off his thigh pad to the off side. A leg bye taken.

Bangs this into the pitch and around off, takes pace off, Josh Inglis uses his feet and looks to pull it away but gets deceived by the lack of pace and misses.

Beauty! Short of a length and on off, nips back in with some extra bounce, Josh Inglis has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. The ball keeps rising as the keeper collects it above his head.

WIDE! Loses his line and serves this full but down the leg side, Josh Inglis swings at it but misses.

Back of a length and on off, Nicholas Pooran stays back and pats it in front of cover and hurries across to the other end for a single.

Arshdeep Singh has been taken out of the attack after going for 16 runs in the opening over. Marco Jansen replaces him.

Touch slower, pitched up, on middle, Nicholas Pooran knocks it towards mid off for a quick single. Just one run and a wicket off the over!

Much fuller and around off, shaping away, Nicholas Pooran drives it away to cover.

Short of a length and on off, Nicholas Pooran hops up and looks to dab it down but gets a bottom edge that bounces past the stumps.

Hits the deck hard and around off, gets it to move away this time, Nicholas Pooran watches it through and leaves it alone.

Fuller in length and on middle and leg, shapes in sharply, Nicholas Pooran fails to flick it away and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

In walks Nicholas Pooran at number 3. Deep Dasgupta points out that this is the earliest Pooran has come out to bat this season.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Azmatullah Omarzai draws first blood on his very first delivery. He lands this back of a length and well outside off, gets it to nip back in a bit. Arshin Kulkarni goes chasing after it and slashes hard, away from his body, without moving his feet. It's a nothing shot, really. The ball catches the underedge and goes behind, where the keeper, Prabhsimran Singh makes no mistake. A golden duck for Kulkarni and LSG are 16/1.

A bright start for LSG. It will be Azmatullah Omarzai to operate from the other end.

FOUR! Up and over! Sticks to the fuller length, does Arshdeep, on middle, shaping in. Josh Inglis opens up his stance a bit, gets under it and lofts it over mid on this time for yet another boundary. 16 runs off the first over, then.

FOUR! Third boundary of the over! Pitched up delivery, just outside off, Josh Inglis reaches out for it and muscles it down the ground to the long off fence for four more runs.

FOUR! Put away! Arshdeep Singh bangs this into the pitch, on middle. Josh Inglis gets a bit hurried and turns his head away, but still crunches the pull shot through square leg for another boundary.

Back of a length and on middle, jags back into the batter, Josh Inglis looks to nudge it away but only manages to glove it down to the leg side.

Full again and on off, Josh Inglis strides out and drives it firmly but straight to cover this time.

FOUR! Josh Inglis and LSG are underway in style! Arshdeep Singh starts with a full delivery and around off. Inglis plants his front foot towards the pitch of the ball, leans on and with a high elbow, he creams the drive through covers for the first boundary.

We are all set for this all-important clash! One last time for the faithful Lucknow fans to watch their team play this season. A new opening pair for them in the absence of Marsh, as it will be Josh Inglis and Arshin Kulkarni. Punjab Kings have already taken up their respective field positions. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Impact sub options for PBKS - Harpreet Brar, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Vishnu Vinod and Praveen Dubey.

Punjab Kings (Playing XI) - Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Suryansh Shedge, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen (In place of Lockie Ferguson), Vijaykumar Vyshak (In place of Harpreet Brar), Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact sub options for LSG - Shahbaz Ahamad, Digvesh Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, Himmat Singh and Akash Singh.

Lucknow Super Giants (Playing XI) - Josh Inglis, Arshin Kulkarni (In place of Mitchell Marsh), Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary (In place of Shahbaz Ahamad), Arjun Tendulkar (In place of Mayank Yadav and On LSG debut), Mohammad Shami (In place of Akash Singh), Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan.

The captain of the Lucknow Super Giants - Rishabh Pant says they would have bowled first as well, adding that the wicket looks good for cricket regardless of whether you are batting or bowling. He feels it is one of the better batting surfaces and expects a high-scoring contest tonight. Pant also confirms two changes for LSG, with Arjun and Arshin Kulkarni coming into the side. Reflecting on the season, he admits it has been a tough campaign but says there have still been plenty of learnings, both personally and for the team. He ends with a heartfelt message for the fans, apologising for the disappointing season and thanking supporters who have travelled from across Uttar Pradesh to back the side. Pant assures that despite the difficult season, the team will give their 100 percent tonight.

The skipper of the Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer says that the feeling is certainly exciting. It's a do-or-die situation for them. Mentions that they have never been in this situation before in the league stages. Informs that they have made a couple of changes with Marco Jansen and Vijaykumar Vyshak coming into the team.

TOSS - Time for the coin to go up in Lucknow. 'Tails' is the call from Shreyas Iyer, and he gets it right. Punjab Kings elect to BOWL first.

From one Aussie to the other - Punjab's Cooper Connolly says it has been a very good season for him and adds that everyone in the setup made him feel welcome from the start. He admits to being a bit nervous initially, but says he has settled in much better as the tournament has progressed. Assessing his campaign so far, Connolly says he is pleased to have achieved a few personal milestones, but stresses that the team's success matters far more to him than individual accolades.

A quick word with Josh Inglis - Inglis says he is pleased to have contributed with the bat and helped the team, though he admits it is disappointing that the season has not gone the way they would have hoped. On a personal note, however, he adds that he has enjoyed his time in the middle. Speaking about the mood in the dressing room, Inglis mentions that while there is disappointment, the group is still sticking together and having honest conversations. He also stresses that there is still plenty to play for, with the side determined to finish the season on a winning note. On his batting approach at the top of the order, Josh says there is little time to settle in, which makes intent crucial early on. He is also quick to credit Mitchell Marsh for helping build strong partnerships and making life easier in the middle. About batting at this venue, Inglis says he has done his homework and is focused on executing his plans the right way.

PITCH REPORT - Graeme Swann is pitchside. He says that he has some bad news for the bowlers as the square boundaries are just 60 and 61 meters, while the straight hit is 76 meters. Mentions that the surface is 70 per cent red soil and 30 per cent black soil, which could favour the batters. Aaron Finch joins him, and he shares that there is some grass left on the surface, but it also has some dry patches, which could offer a bit of help to the bowlers. He highlights how the LSG quicks have been exceptional at hitting the 6-8 metre lengths this season, conceding under a run-a-ball when bowling there. Ends by saying that batting first could be trouble, but batting second, you can chase the total down.

What's in store tonight? Out of the six games played here so far, the 200-run mark has been crossed only twice, with most totals settling in the 140-165 range. One trend, however, has remained constant throughout - every captain winning the toss at this venue this season has opted to bowl first. Stay tuned for the toss and further updates...

LSG seeking to avoid the wooden spoon - For Lucknow, this is a season best forgotten. Their last playoff appearance came back in 2023, and since then, they have finished seventh twice and now find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd for the final time this season, they will be desperate to send their fans home with something to smile about. We are hearing that Mitchell Marsh has left the squad and will be unavailable for tonight's fixture, which will please Punjab, given the kind of impact he has had at the top.

Do-or-die for the Kings - For Punjab, the situation is as bleak as it is urgent. After a blistering start to the season, a devastating six-match losing streak has pushed them to the brink, where one more defeat officially extinguishes their playoff hopes. Victory alone will not be enough, as they will also need Rajasthan Royals to stumble in their final fixture. Yes, the Kolkata Knight Riders can catch up with them but Punjab hold the edge on net run rate, and a win today would only strengthen that advantage further. Also, a Punjab win will knock Delhi out of the playoff race.

Greetings, folks - The pressure has reached an absolute breaking point as the IPL 2026 league phase hurtles toward its conclusion. Match 68 brings together the Lucknow Super Giants and the Punjab Kings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The stadium has been no stranger to big moments this season. It has witnessed stunning individual performances, dramatic last-over finishes, and the kind of cricket that reminds you exactly why this tournament captures an entire nation's imagination every single year.

... MATCH DAY ...

High stakes vs shattered pride - The stage is set for Match 68 of the Indian Premier League 2026. The Punjab Kings gear up for a final league showdown against the Lucknow Super Giants. Placed fifth on the points table with 13 points, Punjab must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. On the flip side, Lucknow have endured a tough season at the rock-bottom spot with 8 points. Having been eliminated long ago, the Super Giants now hold the unique power to shatter Punjab’s qualification dreams. Punjab's unbeaten flying start - It is a dramatic turn of events for the Kings, who initially looked like the team to beat. Punjab started their campaign in blistering fashion, storming ahead as the tournament's only unbeaten side after seven games. They accumulated six commanding victories alongside a lone washed-out fixture, sitting comfortably at the top. Their aggressive brand of cricket made them early title favourites, dominating opponents with absolute ease. A catastrophic slump - However, the tables turned south remarkably fast for the high-flying franchise. A sudden, unexpected slump triggered an agonising six-match losing streak that completely derailed their momentum. This continuous downward spiral stripped them of their table-topping cushion and damaged their confidence. Now, they are left stranded in a complex web of mathematical permutations, needing a final-day victory while relying heavily on other results. Over-reliance and overseas dilemmas - A major catalyst for Punjab's dramatic downfall has been an alarming form dip across their top-order batting. This slump left the middle order with too much heavy lifting, alongside a clumsy, error-prone fielding unit. Compounding these on-field woes is a severe selection dilemma regarding their third and fourth overseas player slots. While Cooper Connolly and Marcus Stoinis have excelled, foreign bowling recruits like Marco Jansen, Xavier Bartlett, and Ben Dwarshuis have consistently let them down. Lucknow's late-season freedom - Conversely, the Lucknow Super Giants have experienced an entirely inverted trajectory this year. They started the season incredibly poorly, falling behind early and crashing out of the tournament context prematurely. Paradoxically, liberation from qualification pressure has sparked a resurgence, allowing them to finally click seamlessly as a unit. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis have spearheaded this late surge, offsetting Rishabh Pant's poor form while Nicholas Pooran flashes vintage, destructive glimpses. Team form (Last 5 completed IPL matches, most recent first) - LSG - LWLWL | PBKS - LLLLL. The decisive on-field battles - This high-stakes clash features fascinating tactical battles, starting in the Powerplay where Mitchell Marsh faces Arshdeep Singh's probing new-ball spell. Arshdeep is a master at swinging the ball back into right-handers, creating a classic high-risk, high-reward matchup against Marsh’s aggressive batting style. In the middle overs, Prince Yadav will look to test Shreyas Iyer by consistently hitting a demanding line and length in the corridor of uncertainty just outside off-stump that has been his nemesis in the last two games. Also, a blockbuster mid-innings spin battle awaits as the wily Yuzvendra Chahal collides with the dangerous Nicholas Pooran. As a classic leg-spinner who loves to entice batters by tossing the ball up, Chahal provides a perfect tactical counter to Pooran’s explosive, left-handed ability to clear the boundary against spin, making this a true psychological game of cat-and-mouse that could swing the momentum of the entire innings.