Shreyas Iyer described it as "us vs us," and on Sunday, the opposition simply couldn’t match their level. In a stunning power-hitting performance at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Punjab Kings showed they are just as formidable when setting a total as they are when chasing one.
After comfortably overhauling targets of more than 200 twice this season, the Kings were asked to bat first for the first time in 2026. They answered with a towering 254 for seven, the highest score of the season to date, before their bowlers combined effectively to seal a 54-run win over the Lucknow Super Giants. The result stretches Punjab’s unbeaten streak to six matches and firmly consolidates their position at the top of the table.
The foundation of the record-breaking total was a blistering 182-run partnership off just 80 balls for the second wicket between Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly.
Arya launchpad: Priyansh Arya operated on a different wavelength from the start, reaching his half-century in just 19 balls. He was particularly brutal against Mohsin Khan, hitting four sixes in the powerplay alone.
Connolly surge: After a lucky escape early on (a missed LBW review and a dropped return catch), Connolly found his rhythm. He reached a 35-ball fifty before teeing off against Mohammed Shami and Aiden Markram, the latter conceding 32 runs in a single over.
In a game where every other bowler was sent to the cleaners, Prince Yadav produced a spell that bordered on the miraculous. While his teammates traveled for 226 runs off 16 overs, Prince finished with figures of 4-0-25-2.
He provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Connolly with a hard-length delivery, momentarily putting the skids on a run rate that had touched 14 an over. However, the damage was already done. Despite the efforts of Rishabh Pant (42) and Ayush Badoni (35) to keep pace, the target of 255 proved to be a bridge too far.
Lucknow’s chase started with promise, reaching 61 for no loss in the PowerPlay. However, the introduction of Vyshak Vijaykumar and the veteran Yuzvendra Chahal shifted the momentum.
Pant: Pant kept LSG’s hopes afloat with a trademark one-handed swing for six, but his 23-ball stay was ended by a faint edge off Arshdeep Singh.
Pooran's slump: Nicholas Pooran’s horror run continued, falling to a Marco Jansen slower ball for just 9, effectively ending the contest.
Record breakers: Punjab's 254/7 upstaged the 249 set by RCB earlier in the season, marking the highest team total of IPL 2026.
Six-hitting frenzy: PBKS walloped 21 sixes, the most in a single innings this year.
Markram meltdown: Aiden Markram's solitary over went for 32 runs, including five sixes shared between Connolly and Arya.
Shami's mixed bag: While Mohammed Shami removed Prabhsimran Singh for a golden duck, his second spell was dismantled by Connolly.
Punjab Kings have demonstrated that their all-out attacking style, as outlined by batting coach Brad Haddin, is unaffected by match circumstances. Whether pursuing 200 or posting 250, they persist with a high-risk, high-reward brand of cricket that is currently overpowering the rest of the league. For LSG, a third consecutive defeat has left them stuck at No. 8, still looking for a stable batting lineup and greater reliability with the ball.
