Punjab Kings (PBKS) leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal expressed relief and satisfaction after ending their disappointing six-match losing streak with a crucial seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2026.
The win at the Ekana Cricket Stadium kept Punjab's playoff hopes alive and lifted them to fourth place in the points table. Chasing the challenging target of 197 runs. punjab kings There was a brilliant batting performance under the leadership of captain Shreyas Iyer, who scored an unbeaten 101 runs in just 51 balls. He stitched a match-winning 140-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh as PBKS comfortably completed the chase in 18 overs.
The result marked a significant turnaround for Punjab, who had made a strong start to the season by winning the first six of their seven matches (one with no result), but suffered six consecutive defeats that pushed them to the brink of relegation.
Speaking after the game, Chahal reflected on the tough phase the team has gone through and highlighted the importance of maintaining unity and positivity within the dressing room.
“When you win six of your first seven games and then lose the next six after one point, there is nothing left to say. How you keep the team together and how you keep the atmosphere together becomes important. So, there were never any negative thoughts. Even during practice, the focus was on ourselves and how we can get those two points because it had been almost a month since we last won a game. So, this win feels special,” Chahal said after the game. Said on JioHotstar.
Despite the win, Punjab's qualification hopes still depend on other results. They will have to see Mumbai Indians beat Rajasthan Royals in Sunday's clash to stay in the playoff race and then hope that either Kolkata Knight Riders lose to Delhi Capitals later in the day, or don't win by just enough of a margin that they fall behind in net run rate.
Chahal also shared a humorous aside while talking about the match to be held at the Wankhede Stadium, in which he made fun of Mumbai and the experienced opener. Rohit Sharma.
“We will be in Lucknow only. Hopefully RR loses tomorrow and Rohit Sharma scores straight 200 runs, it's been a long time,” he said.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remain in contention mathematically and can still move ahead of Punjab on net run-rate with a massive win over Delhi Capitals (DC). They will face each other on May 24 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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