IPL 2026: Surreal Saturday, but a sad Sunday for Shreyas

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer celebrates his century during their seven-wicket win over LSG in Lucknow on Saturday. Pic/IPL

Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer said on Saturday that he was feeling ‘surreal' after scoring his maiden IPL hundred (101 not out off 51 balls) to help his team beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets and end their six-match losing streak in their final league stage match.

Last year's finalists PBKS returned to fourth position temporarily with 15 points from 14 matches, but their happiness was shortlived as Rajasthan Royals displaced them and confirmed their entry into the Playoffs with 16 points after their 30-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

"Ecstatic, first hundred of the season, we won eventually after six consecutive losses. I know if I give myself time in the middle and time the ball, rather than getting on top of the ball. I know I need to stay out there for as long as possible," Player-of-the-match Iyer had said at the post-match presentation.

"It's a surreal feeling, finishing a game and scoring a century. I was in a great mind space, felt super from within," he added.

He also lauded Prabhsimran Singh (69) for helping him raise 140 runs for a match-winning third wicket stand, while also praising the bowlers for keeping LSG down to a sub-200 total.

PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting patted Iyer for the mature handling of a delicate match situation. "Pretty clinical chase, the captain has done that often before. It's his first IPL century and we'll celebrate that. He's a brilliant guy, very mature player and leader, keeps his emotions in check. The respect he has is second to none, delighted to work with him and for the season he has had," Ponting had said.

158.60
Shreyas Iyer's average in successful run chases across 16 IPL innings since 2024

4
No. of consecutive wins for PBKS over LSG since 2025

6
No. of wins for PBKS while batting second across nine matches this season

9
No. of times PBKS have crossed 200 runs this season - the joint-most for any team in IPL history alongside SRH

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