Shreyas Iyer played a magnificent innings, scoring his maiden Indian Premier League century to steer Punjab Kings to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants. The match, held at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, saw Iyer remain unbeaten on 102 off just 55 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and 5 sixes. His knock was the cornerstone of PBKS's successful chase of 172, which they achieved with 10 balls to spare.
Match Summary
LSG, after being put in to bat, posted a competitive total of 171 for 6 in their 20 overs. Captain KL Rahul top-scored with 68 off 51 balls, while Marcus Stoinis contributed a quickfire 38 off 23. For PBKS, Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 30.
In response, PBKS lost early wickets but Iyer held the innings together. He found able support from Jonny Bairstow (32 off 24) and Liam Livingstone (23 off 14), who helped keep the required rate in check. Iyer reached his century off the last ball of the 18th over, smashing a six over long-on to bring up the milestone and finish the match in style.
Key Performances
- Shreyas Iyer: 102* (55 balls, 10 fours, 5 sixes) – Player of the Match
- KL Rahul: 68 (51 balls, 7 fours, 1 six)
- Kagiso Rabada: 2 for 30 (4 overs)
Turning Point
The partnership of 89 runs between Iyer and Bairstow for the third wicket took the game away from LSG. After Bairstow's dismissal, Iyer accelerated, hitting 21 runs off the 18th over bowled by Ravi Bishnoi to seal the win.
This victory was crucial for PBKS, moving them up the points table, while LSG will look to regroup after this defeat. Iyer's innings was widely praised by cricket pundits, marking a significant milestone in his IPL career.
