PBKS vs LSG

Prabhsimran Singh [Player of the Match, Punjab Kings]: Definitely, this is a good knock because these two points matter a lot. I was playing on 20-25, and when I got the chance, I was thinking about capitalising. It took us some time to read the wicket and once we got an idea, I knew we could score in excess of 200. We need to play according to the situation. Our batting attack has been such that even if one guy isn't able to fire, someone does well to cover up for them (translated from Hindi)

Shreyas Iyer [captain, Punjab Kings]: Elated, everyone stepped up at the right time. Specifically, Prabh, the way he played was excellent. I am glad I didn't know about it. I stepped onto the field looking to win. Apart from the stats, I haven't been thinking about what total would have been good here. As I mentioned, each and every individual knows their roles, and the way they executed it was top notch. We need to tick a few boxes from the last game. We need to back ourselves and not think too much about what the stats have to offer

Arshdeep Singh: Yes for change there was movement in the starting over so I enjoyed the conditions. The temperature drops down here so the extra movement I felt. Still a lot of phases where we can improve in the field. I mean I was just watching him and was praying that he catches it because Mitch is a very dangerous player. Credit to Wadhera for taking that catch. Their top three has been scoring a lot of runs and the talk was as soon as we take their wickets, we will have the upper hand. We are just taking it day by day (on whether this is the year where PBKS breaks the jinx of winning the IPL trophy).

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Supergiants captain): See definitely too many runs. When you drop crucial catches at wrong time, it will hurt you. We thought it will do more but we didn't pick the length right but its part and parcel of the game. If we win the next three games, we can still make it so the dream is still alive. See it makes sense when your top order is batting well. You can't expect them to do the heavy job everytime. We had too many runs too catch up and it cost us.

11:15 PM IST: Punjab Kings beat Lucknow Super Giants by 37 runs

Ayush Badoni 74(40b) | Arshdeep Singh: 3/16 (4 overs)
Abdul Samad: 45(24b) | Azmatullah Omarzai: 2/33 (4 overs)

A very disappointing approach by LSG when chasing a gargantuan total. This loss has further dented their chances of a playoff appearance, and now they stand at a very crucial juncture in the tournament, where every game will be a do-or-die contest for them. They will have to come out on top and ensure they win all their remaining contests from here on.

When chasing 237, teams generally need their openers to give them a good start, but it was the exact opposite for LSG. Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for a duck, and soon after, Markram chopped one onto his stumps, with LSG finding themselves on 16/2 in no time. Wickets fell throughout the innings, but Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad put on a solid fight and ensured LSG didn't suffer a huge defeat.

Punjab Kings put on a fine performance with the bat in hand and followed it up with the ball as well. Arshdeep Singh ruled the roost, picking up three wickets, and was very well supported by Azmatullah Omarzai, who added two wickets to his kitty. Marco Jansen and Yuzvendra Chahal also added a wicket each, which seems to have helped their cause of defending the total.

19.6 Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, Punjab Kings win by 37 runs. Chahal again throwing it wide outside off, Avesh comes down the track and smashes it flat and hard towards the cover fielder Shreyas Iyer, a good effort from him but it spills out. A thoroughly convincing performance from PBKS. They go to the second position in the points table. 

19.5 Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, FOUR! Avesh comes down the track and smashes the fuller one well wide outside off, over the extra cover region and finds the boundary. 

19.4 Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, Avesh again comes dowm the track to a flighted one on a good-length, gets an inside edge onto his pads which almost popped back to Chahal. 

19.3 Yuzvendra Chahal to Avesh Khan, SIX! Avesh comes dancing down the track to a good-length leg break around middle and off and launches it down the ground, smashes it flat and hard over long-off. 

19.2 Yuzvendra Chahal to Prince Yadav, on a fuller-length around middle, smashed back over the bowler's head but had no power on that shit, settles for a single.