Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL ton keeps PBKS alive

Led by Shreyas Iyer's maiden IPL century, Punjab Kings ended their six-match losing streak and kept themselves in contention for a playoff berth by beating Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets. Iyer's ton enabled PBKS to chase down 197 with two overs to spare. The victory pushed them back into the top four on the points table, but their qualification depends on Sunday's results.

Brief Scores: Lucknow Super Giants 196/6 in 20 overs (Josh Inglis 72, Ayush Badoni 43; Yuzvendra Chahal 2-27, Marco Jansen 2-33) lost to Punjab Kings 200/3 in 18 overs (Shreyas Iyer 101*, Prabhsimran Singh 69; Mohammed Shami 2-45, Arjun Tendulkar 1-36) by 7 wickets

Who won the game for PBKS?
In the must-win game, the captain stepped up, scoring his maiden IPL century and taking the team home. Coming in after two early wickets, he kept the chase steady with calculated attack and sealed victory with a six over long-on.

A Powerplay of two extremes
Josh Inglis got LSG off to a flying start with four boundaries in the opening over. Ayush Badoni took charge against Marco Jansen and Azmatullah Omarzai, picking 42 runs off the last two Powerplay overs. Sandwiched between was a quiet phase where Arshin Kulkarni and Nicholas Pooran fell cheaply, with PBKS conceding only eight runs.

Badoni's bizarre dismissal; Inglis takes over
After the powerplay, Badoni was sent back by smart work from Prabhsimran Singh. Tricked by a Yuzvendra Chahal delivery, Badoni missed a cut but lifted his leg, and the keeper whipped off the bails. Inglis then took over, managing 27 off his first 22 balls before tearing into the PBKS bowlers. Arshdeep Singh conceded 19 in the 12th over. Inglis added 45 off his next 22 balls before falling to Shashank Singh.

What was happening at the other end?
Rishabh Pant struggled to a 22-ball 26. Shashank bowled three economical overs in the second half. Vyshak and Jansen had quiet overs at the death, but Abdul Samad found streaky boundaries in the last over against Arshdeep, pushing the total to 192.

For the fifth time this season, Mohammed Shami struck in his first over, getting Priyansh Arya to top-edge a pull. He cleaned up Cooper Connolly two overs later.

How did the rest of the powerplay pan out for PBKS?
Despite two early wickets and no sixes, PBKS motored along with at least one boundary per over. By the end of the Powerplay, Prabhsimran and Iyer had 65 runs on the board, keeping pace with the required rate.

For how long could they strengthen their partnership?
They kept going until the 15th over. Pant used left-arm seamers Arjun Tendulkar and Mohsin Khan to attack with tight lines. Prabhsimran survived a caught-behind chance but kept altering his position. He reached a 28-ball half-century and survived another chance when Badoni spilled a catch. He was eventually trapped LBW by Arjun Tendulkar, but the 140-run stand had brought the required rate to seven an over.

How was Shreyas Iyer at the other end?
Assured, unbothered and in control. Coming in after two early wickets, Iyer looked in command, unhurried, and willing to hold back or attack when needed. He played the hook, cut, and confidently went down the track. He brought up his century off the last ball of PBKS' innings to seal the chase.

Where do they end their league campaigns?
PBKS are back in the top four, but their campaign's fate will be decided in less than 24 hours. If Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians, PBKS will be eliminated. The same applies if KKR beat DC by at least 77 runs or chase a target of 200 in 12.1 overs or fewer.

LSG have won just four matches and are likely to finish at the bottom. With PBKS' victory, Delhi Capitals are now out of playoff contention.