source : BCCI
Punjab Kings (PBKS) continued their impressive form in IPL 2025 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Playing at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, PBKS put on a clinical display with both bat and ball. Opting to bowl first, their bowlers made early breakthroughs, keeping LSG under pressure from the start. Arshdeep Singh’s fiery opening spell set the tone, dismissing Mitchell Marsh for a golden duck and ensuring PBKS had control from the outset.
LSG struggled to build momentum after losing early wickets, with key players like Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant falling cheaply. Nicholas Pooran fought back with a quickfire 44 off 30 balls, but his dismissal to Yuzvendra Chahal stalled LSG’s recovery. A late partnership between Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni provided some resistance, adding 47 runs in the final overs. However, PBKS bowlers held their nerve, restricting LSG to a modest 171 for 7 in 20 overs.
Chasing 172, PBKS opener Prabhsimran Singh took charge with an explosive start. He attacked the LSG bowlers from the first over, racing to a 23-ball half-century. His fearless stroke play dismantled the opposition’s bowling attack, leaving LSG with little room to bounce back. Despite his dismissal for 69 off 34 balls—courtesy of a spectacular boundary-line relay catch—PBKS remained firmly in control.
With the platform set, Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 52 off 30 balls. His partnership with Nehal Wadhera ensured there were no further setbacks as PBKS comfortably chased down the target with more than three overs to spare. Iyer’s calculated approach, mixed with aggressive stroke play when required, highlighted PBKS’s batting depth and strategic execution.
This victory marked PBKS’s second consecutive win, solidifying their position among the early front-runners in IPL 2025 alongside Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Their dominant performances, achieved without major contributions from overseas players, signal a well-balanced squad capable of challenging for the title. With momentum on their side, PBKS will be looking to extend their winning streak as the tournament progresses.
