Hi and welcome to India Today’s live coverage of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Lucknow.
For Punjab Kings, it is officially calculator season now.
PBKS head into their final league clash against Lucknow Super Giants needing more than just a win to stay alive in IPL 2026.
One slip anywhere, and PBKSâ playoff hopes could disappear.
What once looked like a smooth playoff run has suddenly turned into survival mode for Punjab Kings.
Back in April, PBKS were tearing through teams with fearless cricket, highlighted by that stunning 265-run chase against Delhi Capitals. Six wins in their first seven matches had them looking like genuine title contenders.
Six straight defeats have exposed the cracks â the explosive batting has lost momentum, the bowling has struggled in key moments, and the pressure has kept building with every game. Now, Punjab head into their final league clash needing a win and plenty of help elsewhere to stay alive in IPL 2026.
Saturday just got spicier in Lucknow.
A few weeks ago, Punjab Kings looked like one of the safest bets for the IPL 2026 playoffs. Now? Six straight defeats later, the script has flipped completely.
Shreyas Iyer and Co walk into their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants with zero room for error. A win is mandatory. Calculators are out. Net run rate conversations are back. And PBKS fans are suddenly checking every other result alongside their own.
What once looked like a smooth top-four cruise has now turned into a proper last-day survival fight. Saturday in Lucknow suddenly carries playoff chaos energy.
Source: India Today
