LSG vs PBKS — IPL 2026 Cricket Match 26: Result, Scorecard & Report
Published: April 15, 2026 | Updated: April 18, 2026 — By Rahul Sharma
Match Result: PBKS Won by 5 Wickets
LSG 158/8 (20 ov) — Pant 48(36), Pooran 32(24), Stoinis 21(18) | Arshdeep 3/24, Rabada 2/29, Harpreet Brar 2/26
PBKS 159/5 (18.5 ov) — Iyer 62*(44), Prabhsimran 38(28), Shashank Singh 19*(11) | Mayank Yadav 2/31, Ravi Bishnoi 1/28
Player of the Match: Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) — 62* (44 balls)
LSG vs PBKS — Match Report
Punjab Kings picked up their second consecutive IPL 2026 win at Ekana Stadium, chasing down Lucknow Super Giants' modest 158/8 with 7 balls to spare. Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 62 off 44 balls was the backbone of a controlled chase, and PBKS — who started the season with three losses — have now climbed to eighth on the points table. For LSG, the defeat extends their losing streak to five matches and raises serious questions about Rishabh Pant's leadership and team selection.
LSG won the toss and batted first on a surface that offered little pace. Rishabh Pant's 48 off 36 balls was classy but lacked the acceleration needed on a slow deck — a common theme for LSG's season. Nicholas Pooran's 32 off 24 balls kept the innings moving, but Arshdeep Singh's three-wicket haul (3/24, including Pooran's off-cutter wicket in the 17th over) prevented any late flurry. LSG's 158/8 felt 20 runs below par, even on a slow Ekana pitch.
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer walked out at number 3 after Mayank Yadav produced an unplayable opening delivery to dismiss Josh Inglis for a duck. Iyer batted with the calm authority that has defined his recent form, reaching his 50 off 37 balls. His partnership of 84 with Prabhsimran Singh (38 off 28) took PBKS from 23/2 in the 5th over to 107/2 in the 12th — effectively killing the contest.
Shreyas Iyer — The Captain's Innings Again
Iyer's unbeaten 62 was his second match-winning innings in six days. In Match 21 against LSG at Mohali, he scored 74 — and here, his 62 took PBKS home comfortably. The PBKS captain has adjusted beautifully to leading a side that rebuilt almost its entire roster at the auction. His approach has been consistent: anchor the chase, let the finishers finish, never panic against spin. In Lucknow, Iyer took exactly two risks in his 44-ball innings — a slog-sweep against Ravi Bishnoi that cleared the rope, and a lofted straight drive off Mayank Yadav in the 16th. Everything else was controlled.
LSG — The Season Is Over
Five matches, zero wins, minus-1.087 NRR. LSG have now lost to KKR, CSK, MI, RR, and PBKS — and the only match that was competitive was the CSK defeat at Chepauk. The numbers don't lie: LSG's batting strike rate in the powerplay is the worst in the tournament at 6.8 runs per over. Their bowling has leaked 9.2 runs per over in the middle phase. There is no area of the game where they rank in the top half.
Pant's captaincy has drawn criticism. The decision to open with Stoinis in three of five matches has produced 23 runs at a strike rate of 98. The bowling changes have looked random rather than planned. At some point, franchise ownership will need to decide whether to rebuild around Pant for 2027 or to look at other leadership options. For now, LSG's IPL 2026 is effectively over — they'd need to win 9 of their remaining 9 matches with a huge NRR swing to sniff the playoffs.
Playing XIs — LSG vs PBKS
Points Table Impact
PBKS now have 4 points from 5 matches with an improving NRR (-0.312), climbing to eighth. LSG remain at 0 points from 5, bottom of the table with NRR -1.087. The playoff race narrows further: RR (12 pts), RCB (8 pts), and CSK (10 pts) occupy the top three, with GT and MI fighting for the 4th spot. See full standings on the IPL 2026 points table.
What's Next?
LSG travel to Bengaluru for Match 33 against RCB on April 24 — a desperate situation against unbeaten opposition. PBKS host Rajasthan Royals in Match 30 at Mohali on April 21, where a win over the league leaders would be the statement their rebuilt squad needs. Full upcoming fixtures on the IPL 2026 schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Punjab Kings won by 5 wickets at Ekana on April 17, 2026. PBKS chased 159 with 7 balls to spare. Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 62 sealed the win.
LSG 158/8 (20 ov) — Pant 48(36), Pooran 32(24); Arshdeep 3/24, Rabada 2/29. PBKS 159/5 (18.5 ov) — Iyer 62*(44), Prabhsimran 38(28); Mayank 2/31.
LSG have lost all 5 matches so far. They remain bottom with 0 points and NRR of -1.087 — playoff hopes effectively over with 9 matches left.
Shreyas Iyer — unbeaten 62 off 44 balls, his second match-winning innings in six days after a 74 against LSG in Match 21.
Yes. Pant scored 48 off 36 balls — LSG's top score — but the team fell 15-20 runs short of par.
Slow, two-paced surface. Average first-innings T20 score is 156. Ball skidded on under lights, favouring the chasing side.
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