Shreyas Iyer's Maiden IPL Century Keeps Punjab Kings' Playoff Hopes Alive

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Shreyas Iyer, the skipper of the Punjab Kings, wins the award for his unbeaten knock of 101 runs in 51 balls. He says he is excited because it's his first hundred, and it came at the right time, when the team needed it most. He adds that he is elated by their bowlers' performance.

Inglis led the way for LSG - With Mitchell Marsh unavailable, LSG fielded their sixth opening pair of the season in Josh Inglis and Arshin Kulkarni. Inglis got off to another brisk start, while Ayush Badoni provided a brief counterattack after Punjab struck early. Although Inglis held the innings together, PBKS ensured LSG never fully broke free and removed him before the death overs. A 17-run final over from Arshdeep Singh helped Lucknow push close to 200. Arshdeep ended with figures of 3-0-52-0, making it slightly surprising that Shreyas Iyer chose not to bowl out either Azmatullah Omarzai or Vijaykumar Vyshak despite both having an over left.

Captain to the rescue - Chasing 197 to stay alive in the playoff race, PBKS lost a couple of wickets inside the first three overs, but that was as good as it got for LSG. Shreyas Iyer walked out like a man on a mission, unleashing a flurry of boundaries that got him going and also eased the pressure on Prabhsimran Singh. Dropped on 20 by Rishabh Pant off Arjun Tendulkar's bowling, Prabhsimran made Lucknow pay dearly. Singh grew in confidence as the innings progressed and began finding boundaries with increasing regularity. Prabhsimran and Iyer stitched a match-defining 140-run partnership that effectively sealed the contest for PBKS, with the skipper bringing up his maiden IPL hundred with the winning hit.

The head coach of the Punjab Kings - Ricky Ponting says that they have done it the hard way. Adds that they were sloppy in the field and probably gave away 20 extra runs. Mentions it was a very clinical chase and once again praises skipper Shreyas Iyer, adding that there was a reason behind investing heavily in him because of the authority and respect he brings to the group. Ponting admits Punjab's standards dropped after a brilliant first half of the season, but feels they were much better tonight. He also highlights Prabhsimran Singh's growth, saying the opener has finally realised how good he really is and that innings like this will only make him better. On the playoff race, he says the team will now sit together and closely follow tomorrow's results.

The captain of the Lucknow Super Giants - Rishabh Pant says that they need to keep their heads high, though it was a tough season for them. He adds that they fell a few runs short, and here in Ekana, the wicket gets better in the second innings, so everyone needs to bowl first. He reckons that Josh Inglis came in and played a brilliant knock, and Marsh was not there either. Adds that Mohsin came in and did well, so there are a lot of positives to take forward. Ends by saying that it's been a long season and they promise to come back stronger.

A much-needed win for Punjab - The Kings snap their six-game losing streak and move to the 4th spot with 15 points. They have done what they needed to do and now turn their attention to Sunday's fixtures, hoping for slip-ups from both Rajasthan and Kolkata. In KKR's case, though, Punjab currently hold the edge on net run rate, meaning Kolkata would need a big win to leapfrog them. With Punjab's win, the Delhi Capitals are out of the playoff race. As for the Lucknow Super Giants, they bow out with a defeat and finish a disappointing campaign with just 4 wins from 14 matches, their fewest victories in a single IPL season.

6

Overs17.6

Score200 - 3

Mohsin Khan to Shreyas Iyer, 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.

4

Overs17.1

Score191 - 3

Mohsin Khan to Suryansh Shedge, 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.

1

Overs16.4

Score185 - 3

Arjun Tendulkar to Suryansh Shedge, 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.

6

Overs15.6

Score182 - 3

Mohammad Shami to Shreyas Iyer, 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.

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.

W

Overs14.6

Score162 - 3

Arjun Tendulkar to Prabhsimran Singh, 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.

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.

0

Overs13.1

Score139 - 2

Prince Yadav to Prabhsimran Singh, 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.

1

Overs12.3

Score128 - 2

Digvesh Singh to Shreyas Iyer, 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.

2

Overs11.6

Score125 - 2

Mohsin Khan to Prabhsimran Singh, 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.

4

Overs11.5

Score123 - 2

Mohsin Khan to Prabhsimran Singh, 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.