IPL 2026: Punjab Kings aim to keep playoffs hopes alive against Super Giants

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer (fifth from left) gives a pep talk to his teammates during their match against Rajasthan Royals recently. PIC/IPL

Punjab Kings will need something spectacular to arrest a disastrous slide and keep their fading Playoffs hopes alive when they take on already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants, in their IPL clash, here on Saturday. Punjab's campaign has unravelled dramatically since their record 265-run chase against Delhi Capitals on April 25.

From remaining unbeaten till the midway stage and looking like genuine title contenders with six wins in seven matches, the last season's runners-up have crashed to six successive defeats, leaving their Playoffs hopes hanging by a thread.

Now placed fifth, Punjab not only need to beat LSG in their final league game here on Saturday but also depend on Sunday's double headers (MI vs RR and KKR vs DC) to earn a place in the playoff.

Rishabh Pant

The Shreyas Iyer-led side would hope both Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders lose their respective matches. A Rajasthan Royals win over Mumbai would officially end Punjab's hopes, while a KKR victory over Delhi Capitals could bring net run-rate into play.

At present, PBKS hold a slight edge in NRR over KKR. But before permutations come into the picture, Punjab first need to rediscover their form after a prolonged slump that has exposed flaws across departments.

Their aggressive top order of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Cooper Connolly has failed to provide the explosive starts that defined the first half of their season.

Three
No of single digit opening partnerships for Punjab Kings in their last five matches

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No of consecutive wins for PBKS against LSG

4-3
Punjab Kings's win-loss record against Lucknow Super Giants in seven matches