Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that he will now be “supporting Mumbai” after his stunning unbeaten century against Lucknow Super Giants kept PBKS alive in the IPL 2026 playoff race. The Mumbai-born batter produced one of the knocks of the season just when Punjab desperately needed it, but qualification now depends entirely on Mumbai Indians beating Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.

PBKS snapped a disastrous six-match losing streak in emphatic fashion as Shreyas smashed an unbeaten 101 off just 51 balls to guide Punjab to a dominant seven-wicket win over LSG. The victory took Punjab to 15 points from 14 matches and temporarily lifted them to fourth place on the table.

LSG vs PBKS, IPL 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

However, their playoff fate is no longer in their own hands.

If Rajasthan Royals lose to Mumbai Indians in their final league game, PBKS will qualify for the playoffs. But if RR win, Punjab will be knocked out despite Shreyas’ heroics.

Speaking after the match, the PBKS captain admitted there will now be nervous support coming from the Punjab camp for Mumbai Indians, the franchise from his home city and his domestic team.

“I’m ecstatic to be honest. It’s my first hundred of the season and came at the right time when the team needed it,” Shreyas said during the post-match presentation.

“We won eventually after six consecutive losses. It’s a great positive and just hoping to support MI tomorrow.”

Back to the WINNING ways! #PBKS end their losing streak with a 7-wicket win

Scorecard https://t.co/2ADKr4dqhi#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #LSGvPBKS pic.twitter.com/YP0tImLNYv— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 23, 2026

Shreyas’ hundred arrived in a high-pressure 197 chase against Lucknow, after Punjab lost Priyansh Arya for a first-ball duck and Cooper Connolly cheaply inside the opening overs. But the PBKS skipper completely changed the momentum alongside Prabhsimran Singh, stitching together a match-winning 140-run partnership for the third wicket.

Prabhsimran smashed 69 off 39 balls, while Shreyas accelerated brilliantly after his half-century, scoring his final 51 runs in just 18 deliveries.

The Punjab captain eventually brought up his maiden IPL century with a six off Mohsin Khan, a shot that also sealed the victory for PBKS.

Punjab Kings have now completed their league stage with 15 points from 14 matches.

Here is what PBKS now need:

PBKS currently sit ahead with their playoff hopes alive till Sunday

Mumbai Indians themselves are already out of playoff contention and will now effectively play the role of spoiler against Rajasthan Royals.

Interestingly, Shreyas revealed after the game that Punjab deliberately avoided over-complicating preparations ahead of the high-pressure clash against Lucknow.

After six straight defeats, the PBKS captain felt the side needed freedom rather than more tactical discussions and pressure-filled meetings.

“We didn’t say anything, just kept it simple,” Shreyas explained.

“Rather than having meetings, putting more pressure on the boys. You kinda get lost in the previous losses when you discuss a lot.”

“It’s important that you let them be. Free-flow of mind is required in crucial matches. You don’t want to make them overthink in pressure situations.”

Shreyas even revealed that he told head coach Ricky Ponting to avoid team meetings altogether before the match.

“Today I literally told Ricky that let’s not do any team meetings. Let’s just head to the ground and do our rituals which we’ve been doing consistently and we could see the result.”

That relaxed approach certainly reflected in Punjab’s batting.

Chasing 197, PBKS attacked aggressively throughout the innings and completed the chase in just 18 overs. Shreyas looked particularly destructive against Mohammed Shami, smashing him for three sixes in one over, while also taking apart the LSG spinners with trademark flicks and lofted drives.

For now though, Punjab’s dressing room can only wait.

And somewhere in that wait, one of Mumbai cricket’s own biggest stars will be hoping his hometown franchise does one final favour for PBKS’ playoff dream.

IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score

Source: India Today