Punjab Kings’ skipper Shreyas Iyer wore a wide grin following Saturday’s tight seven-wicket triumph against Lucknow Super Giants, in the latest cricket news. For him, joy sparkled because two targets landed at once, his first IPL hundred showed up, and the team clung to playoff hopes.
101 runs off the bat of Iyer, not out, carrying Punjab across the line. Chasing ended their run of six straight losses. They now sit fourth, fifteen points tall after fourteen games. Captaincy weighed heavily, yet calm at the wicket helped turn things around. Time spent building an innings proved crucial, he said later. Patience shaped the outcome more than power ever could.
“I know if I give myself time in the middle and focus on timing rather than forcing shots, I can stay there till the end,” Shreyas Iyer said during the post-match presentation. “Finishing the game with a century feels surreal. I was in a great mental space and felt confident throughout.”
Shreyas Iyer’s maiden IPL century keeps PBKS alive
Even after winning, Punjab's chance to reach the playoffs remains uncertain. What happens next relies on Sunday’s match involving the Rajasthan Royals and the Mumbai Indians. If the Royals win, they will hit 16 points, ending PBKS’s journey in the competition.
"Tomorrow, it’s Team MI for me,” Shreyas Iyer said, grinning slightly, eyes on a positive outcome.
Prabhsimran Singh got a nod from the PBKS skipper after racking up 69 runs. A solid stand of 140 for the third wicket shifted momentum their way. His knock played a key role in building that total.
“Prabh was excellent with his temperament, and our communication in the middle was really good. That stand changed the momentum completely,” Shreyas Iyer said, while also applauding the bowlers for restricting LSG to a manageable total below 200.
That match was tense, yet the group chose quick chats over long sessions. Iyer shared this detail afterwards.
“We wanted to keep things simple and free-flowing instead of overthinking. I even told Ricky that we didn’t need a team meeting before such a crucial game,” he added.
PBKS boss Ricky Ponting gave big credit to Shreyas Iyer, noting how steady he stayed during tense moments. His captaincy felt relaxed, even when the game tightened up. A quiet strength showed in both decisions and batting. The way he handled pressure stood out clearly. Not rushed, not loud, just focused work that made a difference.
“He’s handled situations like this many times before. It’s his first IPL hundred, and we’ll celebrate it properly,” Ponting said. “He’s a mature leader who keeps his emotions in check. The respect he commands in the dressing room is incredible, and I’m delighted with the season he’s had.”
Pant said the season didn’t go well for LSG - stuck in last place. Their run ended flat, no spark, just a quiet exit.
“It’s been a long season, but we’ll come back stronger next year. We’ve learned a lot from this campaign and need to keep our heads high,” Pant said.
Still, the LSG captain saw good moments in the campaign. Notably, Josh Inglis stood out, then came solid games by Mitchell Marsh, along with Prince Yadav. Another lift arrived when Mohsin Khan returned from injury, soon after Mohammed Shami rejoined too.
