PBKS vs LSG Highlights: Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants by 37 runs

And that's a wrap! Punjab Kings complete a season sweep over Lucknow Super Giants, propelling themselves closer to playoff contention with this commanding victory. LSG, meanwhile, drop down to the seventh spot with a 5-6 win-loss record, with their path forward growing increasingly demanding in an already congested mid-table battle. Their playoff aspirations now hang in the balance as competition intensifies in the tournament's critical phase. The Indian Premier League enters a fresh week as the Monday clash sees Sunrisers Hyderabad hosting Delhi Capitals in what promises to be a box-office game in Hyderabad. It is a very crucial match for both sides, especially for Delhi Capitals, as their momentum has taken a hit in the last few games. They would be aiming to get a win to stay in touching distance of the top three. Whereas SRH, sitting second-to-the-bottom of the table, have no option left other than to win all their remaining games. A defeat will completely dash their playoff aspirations. That game will be played on Monday, 5th May, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). But do make sure you join us an hour earlier for all the exciting pre-match build-up and analysis. Till then, take care, cheers.

What a thrilling Sunday double header we have witnessed, from the eastern coast to the snowcapped mountains in the north. In the day game, it was a heart-stopping clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, where the outcome separated both teams by just 1 run. KKR emerged victorious in that clash and they have kept their playoff hopes alive, still hanging by a thread. For RR, they can only take the positive for taking the game so deep, despite losing half their side too early in a 207-run chase. 

Prabhsimran Singh of the Punjab Kings is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating knock of 91 runs off just 48 balls, which included six fours and seven towering sixes. He says that those two points matter the most for them, and his inning was so crucial and thus he is happy. Adds that in his mind, it was there to capitalise on those starts which he was getting, too, in the last season as well, and he changed his mindset this season to play long innings and wanted to score big runs. Talks about the pitch as when he read it, he thought they should have scored over 200 runs, and they were able to do that. Mentions that their team is playing as per the situation, and one of them is always playing a good innings, as it comes an off day for the others. Concludes by saying that they are happy that they are winning.

The victorious captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, walks to chat. He begins by saying that he feels elated and says everyone stepped up at the right time. Appreciate Prabhsimran for the way he batted. Adds that all the shots he played were exceptional and soothing to the eyes. Says he just stepped in to win the match and is happy that they have executed it nicely. Also admits that they have been a bit lucky, but the luck has shown with the way everyone has worked behind the scenes. Mentions that everyone stepped up at the right time. Points the way everyone executed their roles was just top notch. Stresses that there's only one thing they need to improve, and that is the awareness in the field of the way they move. 

It is time for the Presentation Ceremony...

Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings is up for a quick chat now. He says that there was some movement in the starting overs, and he just wanted to extract that, and he is happy that he was successful today. Mentions that in the second inning here in Dharamshala, the weather gets dropped down and that could be the reason for more swing as it gets a bit cold. States that this win gives a lot of confidence to the team, but there are still some areas that need to be improved. Tells that he was just watching and praying to get that ball caught, and Nehal did well in the deep to hold on to that one, and Marsh is a dangerous player, and they just wanted his wicket. Says that there had been a chat before the match about the top three of LSG, as they are the ones who are scoring run,s and they will improve their chances for the win if they take those wickets, and that was the pla,n and he is happy that the execution was good. Further adds that they are just taking it day by day and enjoying the present more.

The captain of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant, reflects that they gave away too many runs and also dropped crucial catches, which hurt them badly. On the surface, he says they expected it to do a bit more. Admits they didn't pick the lengths right on and calls it a part and parcel of the game. On their situation in the points table, he states that the dream is still alive and says that if they win their next three games, they can turn things around. On getting the lower order more game time, he reflects that it makes sense when your top order is batting well. Says they need to take the game deep at times.

Earlier in the game, the home side PBKS unleashed batting mayhem after LSG invited them to bat first, with Prabhsimran Singh smashing a scintillating 91 off just 48 deliveries to anchor their mammoth 236-run total. Despite early setbacks, the hosts found their rhythm through Shreyas Iyer's clean striking in a lightning 78-run stand, before Shashank Singh's ruthless 33-run blitz and Stoinis' late assault completed the batting exhibition. LSG's fielding nightmares were punctuated by costly dropped catches, which only intensified their struggles, as all bowlers except Akash Singh, with his two wickets, were mercilessly dispatched to all corners of the park.

With their primary artillery silenced and the required rate soaring beyond reasonable limits, LSG found minimal consolation through Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad's spirited resistance. The young duo landed several thunderous blows in their partnership, offering momentary relief to the visitors even as victory had already drifted well beyond their reach. To minimize damage to their net run rate, Badoni and Samad constructed a determined 81-run alliance that softened the margin of defeat. Badoni's composed fifty was one bright spot for LSG. And despite being 73/5, they did manage to get to 199.

Desperate to release the disc brakes on their faltering chase, Pooran and Pant attempted to engineer a recovery partnership, but Arshdeep's sizzling spell proved impossible to navigate. With the speedster claiming a third high-profile victim in Pooran, LSG's wheels completely locked up, and they just never really got that early headstart. Pant looked like a cat on the hot tin roof, and with the skipper too, into the hut, the damage was done more than enough, with the top four contributing only 37 runs collectively.

With a mountain of 237 runs to scale, LSG's expected fireworks never materialised as Arshdeep and Jansen's disciplined opening spells kept the visitors firmly shackled. The chase took a decisive blow when Arshdeep struck twice in the same over, claiming the prized scalps of Marsh and Markram to hand PBKS commanding control in the early exchanges.

The first match of this season in the lap of the Himalayas has been a highly entertaining one, if not competitive. This is also the highest aggregate score in any match at this venue in the IPL, with 435 runs being scored collectively. Also, Punjab Kings improve their winning record at Dharamsala with this commanding win. They spring to the second spot with 15 points, registering their seventh win this season. Meanwhile, for LSG, with this defeat, things have gotten a bit tricky as they now have more defeats to show than the number of wins this season.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, DROPPED BUT PUNJAB KINGS WIN THIS MATCH BY 37 RUNS! Floated it up and well outside off, Avesh Khan reaches out and looks to loft it inside out over cover, but mistimes his shot completely. The ball goes off the bottom part of the bat towards extra cover, where Shreyas Iyer leaps and looks to catch that but spills it out in the end. The batters take no run and this is a comprehensive win for PBKS in their other home, Dharamshala. 

Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, FOUR! ANOTHER GOOD SHOT FROM AVESH! Again a flighted ball and wide outside off, from Chahal, Avesh Khan stays leg side of the ball, uses his feet and extends his arms in the end to reach out as he lofts it through covers for a boundary.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, Floated up and around middle, Avesh uses his feet again and swings at it but gets an inside edge only onto his front pad.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, SIX! GOOD SHOT! Chahal tosses it up and aroud off, Avesh Khan dances down the track and smashes it down the ground over wide long off for a biggie.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Prince Yadav, Quicker and flatter, around off, Prabhsimran Singh mistimes his lofted shot over the bowler's head for a single.

That was the highest score for Ayush Badoni in his IPL career. Prince Yadav is the next batter in for LSG.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Ayush Badoni, OUT! CAUGHT! Lucknow Super Giants lose their seventh and a fantastic knock of Ayush Badoni comes to an end as he goes for 74 runs off just 40 balls. A loopy full ball and around leg, as Chahal sees the batter changing his stance for a reverse sweep. Ayush Badoni looks to reverse-ramp it but gets a top edge towards short third. Arshdeep Singh comes forward a bit and takes this easy catch. 

Who bowls the final over? Vyshak or Stoinis? Or Chahal? It will be Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl the last over. Went for 3-0-39-0 so far.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Avesh Khan, PLAY AND MISS! On a good length and on leg, Avesh Khan clears out his front leg and looks to slog it across the line but misses.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Avesh Khan, IN THE AIR... AND JUST OUT OF THE REACH OF IYER! Back of a length and outside off, Avesh Khan swings hard at it and looks to clear the infield at covers. He mistimes his shot and Shreyas Iyer runs in to his left at the edge of the ring and extends his left arm to take that catch but the ball lands just out of his reach. No run taken.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Ayush Badoni, On a length and outside off, takes the pace off on this occasion, Ayush Badoni shuffles across and manages to drill it towards sweeper cover for one more.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Ayush Badoni, SIX! WOW! THIS KID HAS SOME SHOTS! Azmatullah Omarzai goes for a fuller ball and outside off, Ayush Badoni shuffles across, goes on his knees, and just uses his wrists to flick it. The timing is so perfect on this one as it goes over the ropes at deep square leg. 

Azmatullah Omarzai to Avesh Khan, Hard length and around off, Avesh Khan flat-bats it over the bowler's head for a single. It is a mistimed shot and the long on collects the ball.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Avesh Khan, FOUR! STREAKY! A bouncer and around the right shoulder of the batter, Avesh Khan takes his eyes off as he goes for a pull shot and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper, behind the wickets for a boundary.

Azmatullah Omarzai (3-0-21-2) is back on to bowl the penultimate over.

Vyshak Vijaykumar to Ayush Badoni, Short of a length and around middle, Ayush Badoni moves across in his crease and misses his pull shot.

Vyshak Vijaykumar to Ayush Badoni, FOUR! BADONI IS PLAYING A GEM HERE, IN A LOSING CAUSE! Vyshak Vijaykumar follows the batter and bowls it down the leg side, on a length. Ayush Badoni backs away and gives himself some room but manages to adjust his shot in the end and he flicks it towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Vyshak Vijaykumar to Ayush Badoni, Good effort in the field! Back of a length and around off, Ayush Badoni lifts his front leg up and swipes it across the line towards deep backward square leg. The fielder puts in a dive and saves two runs for his side.

Vyshak Vijaykumar to Ayush Badoni, SIX! BADONI KEEPS STRIKING! Full and outside off, Ayush Badoni goes deep in his crease and makes a base for himself before smashing it over covers for another biggie. What a sight to watch! 

Vyshak Vijaykumar to Ayush Badoni, Much fuller and around middle, Badoni flicks it to long on and denies the single. 

Vyshak Vijaykumar to Ayush Badoni, SIX! WOAH! WHAT A SHOT! JUST STAND AND DELIVER STUFF! On a length and around off, Ayush Badoni stands tall and clobbers it over the long on fence for a biggie. He completes his half-century and this has been a fighting knock from him. 

Marco Jansen to Avesh Khan, FOUR! POWERED AWAY! A slower full ball, right in the slot, around off, Avesh Khan clears out his front leg and reads the slowness of the delivery before smoking it down the ground for a boundary.

Marco Jansen to Avesh Khan, Back of a length and around leg, Avesh Khan misses his pull shot.

Avesh Khan is in at 8 for LSG.

Marco Jansen to Abdul Samad, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Marco Jansen takes a sharp returning catch and a good inning of Abdul Samad comes to an end. A slower knuckle ball, on a length and around middle, Abdul Samad gets cramped up for the room but he still goes for the pull shot. Hits it off the bottom part of the bat and generates no power on that one. The ball goes to the left of the bowler, who takes this catch on his follow-through. Abdul Samad walks back after scoring 45 (24) and gets a pat on the shoulders from Arshdeep Singh, a good gesture by the left-arm pacer there to appreciate Samad's innings.

Marco Jansen to Ayush Badoni, Full and around off, a yorker almost, Badoni squeezes it to backward point for a single.

Marco Jansen to Ayush Badoni, Takes the pace off again, does Jansen and bowls it into the pitch, on a good length and around middle, Ayush Badoni waits for it and swipes it across the line. The ball goes to the left of deep fine leg and the batters take two runs.

Marco Jansen to Abdul Samad, Fuller and around middle, Badoni flicks it along the ground to deep mid-wicket and gets a single. A good throw to the keeper from Shreyas Iyer.

Marco Jansen to Abdul Samad, WIDE! A slower hard-length ball, but way down the leg side, Ayush Badoni misses his pull shot and it is called a wide. 150 is up for LSG.

STRATEGIC BREAK. With the big guns already back in the hut, this stumbling ship has been somewhat steadied by Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad's quickfire partnership. However, they are far away from the destination as they need 88 more runs to win off just 4 overs remaining. If not for the win, they will try to bring the run difference down to as narrow as possible, so that their net run rate doesn't take a bit dent. Of all the PBKS bowlers, Arshdeep Singh has been the best as he finishes his spell with extremely economical figures of 4-0-16-3. Punjab Kings would like to take more wickets from here and make sure they don't concede too many boundaries as well. Here's Marco Jansen (3-0-22-0) back on. 

Arshdeep Singh to Ayush Badoni, PLAY AND MISS! A bit fuller and outside off as well, seems to be a pace off delivery, Ayush Badoni makes a base for himself and swings wildly at it but misses. Arshdeep Singh ends his match-winning spell with figures of 4-0-16-3.

Arshdeep Singh to Abdul Samad, Back of a length and around middle, Ayush Badoni gets hurried in his pull shot and mistimes it in the vacant mid-wicket region. He gets a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Ayush Badoni, Short of a length and around off, with pace taken off, Ayush Badoni ramps it towards deep third for a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Abdul Samad, Just short! Fuller and around off, Abdul Samad stays leg side of the ball and drives it aerially towards extra cover. The ball lands just ahead of the fielder and they take a single.

Arshdeep Singh to Ayush Badoni, Dragged length and around off, Ayush Badoni gets an inside edge onto his front pad as he goes for the drive. They take a single as the ball gets deflected towards cover.

Arshdeep Singh to Ayush Badoni, Great effort from Vyshak Vijaykumar! Fuller and around middle, Ayush Badoni flicks it to the left of deep fine leg and the fielder puts in a full dive and saves two runs.

Marcus Stoinis to Abdul Samad, In the air... but falls down! The fielder seems to have lost the ball! A full toss again and around middle, Abdul Samad mistimes his flick shot on this occasion. The ball goes high in the air towards deep square leg. Nehal Wadhera runs in forward from deep mid-wicket and looks to go for the catch, but he ​​​​​​slips just at the last moment. With a little stumble on his heels, he falls over, and the ball lands safely in his vicinity. Two runs taken.

Marcus Stoinis to Abdul Samad, SIX! THIS IS SOME PICKUP SHOT! Stoinis drifts it into the pads and on a fuller length, Abdul Samad transfers his weight to the front foot and just uses his wrists to flick it. The ball sails over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.