New Delhi: The Punjab Kings continued their impressive form in IPL 2026, securing a commanding 54-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. The Kings set a formidable target of 254 runs, with standout performances from Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, and maintained their unbeaten streak after six matches this season—a first in IPL history.
The Kings, known for their prowess in chasing 200-plus totals, excelled while batting first, even after Prabhsimran was dismissed for a golden duck. Arya and Connolly formed a significant partnership, accumulating 182 runs for the second wicket and relentlessly attacking the LSG bowlers.
Arya delivered an explosive performance, scoring 93 runs off 37 balls, embellished with nine sixes and four fours, which translated to a strike rate of 251.35. Connolly closely supported with 87 runs from 46 balls, hitting seven sixes and eight fours. Their partnership included periods where they scored over 15 runs per over, notably targeting Aiden Markram, from whom they collectively hit 32 runs—five sixes—within a single over.
Defending their target, Punjab Kings’ bowlers performed admirably, maintaining disciplined lines and lengths to restrict LSG’s scoring opportunities. Opening batsmen Ayush Badoni and Mitchell Marsh reached 61 runs before Badoni was dismissed. Rishabh Pant contributed 43 runs off 23 balls but could not anchor the innings as Marsh managed only 40 runs from 28 balls. Nicholas Pooran struggled with a paltry score of nine runs from 10 balls before being dismissed by Marco Jansen.
Aiden Markram, promoted to No. 5, entertained the crowd with a quickfire 42 off 22 deliveries, alongside Mukul Choudhary, who added 21 runs off 17 balls, showcasing a memorable helicopter shot reminiscent of MS Dhoni. Despite a few fielding errors, including two dropped catches by Shashank Singh and a missed aerial catch by Prabhsimran, the Punjab Kings comfortably sealed the match by 54 runs.
