PBKS VS LSG T20S

And that's a wrap! Punjab Kings complete a season sweep over Lucknow Super Giants, propelling themselves closer to playoff contention with this commanding victory. LSG, meanwhile, drop down to the seventh spot with a 5-6 win-loss record, with their path forward growing increasingly demanding in an already congested mid-table battle. Their playoff aspirations now hang in the balance as competition intensifies in the tournament's critical phase. The Indian Premier League enters a fresh week as the Monday clash sees Sunrisers Hyderabad hosting Delhi Capitals in what promises to be a box-office game in Hyderabad. It is a very crucial match for both sides, especially for Delhi Capitals, as their momentum has taken a hit in the last few games. They would be aiming to get a win to stay in touching distance of the top three. Whereas SRH, sitting second-to-the-bottom of the table, have no option left other than to win all their remaining games. A defeat will completely dash their playoff aspirations. That game will be played on Monday, 5th May, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). But do make sure you join us an hour earlier for all the exciting pre-match build-up and analysis. Till then, take care, cheers.

What a thrilling Sunday double header we have witnessed, from the eastern coast to the snowcapped mountains in the north. In the day game, it was a heart-stopping clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, where the outcome separated both teams by just 1 run. KKR emerged victorious in that clash and they have kept their playoff hopes alive, still hanging by a thread. For RR, they can only take the positive for taking the game so deep, despite losing half their side too early in a 207-run chase.

Prabhsimran Singh of the Punjab Kings is adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating knock of 91 runs off just 48 balls, which included six fours and seven towering sixes. He says that those two points matter the most for them, and his inning was so crucial and thus he is happy. Adds that in his mind, it was there to capitalise on those starts which he was getting, too, in the last season as well, and he changed his mindset this season to play long innings and wanted to score big runs. Talks about the pitch as when he read it, he thought they should have scored over 200 runs, and they were able to do that. Mentions that their team is playing as per the situation, and one of them is always playing a good innings, as it comes an off day for the others. Concludes by saying that they are happy that they are winning.

The victorious captain of Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, walks to chat. He begins by saying that he feels elated and says everyone stepped up at the right time. Appreciate Prabhsimran for the way he batted. Adds that all the shots he played were exceptional and soothing to the eyes. Says he just stepped in to win the match and is happy that they have executed it nicely. Also admits that they have been a bit lucky, but the luck has shown with the way everyone has worked behind the scenes. Mentions that everyone stepped up at the right time. Points the way everyone executed their roles was just top notch. Stresses that there's only one thing they need to improve, and that is the awareness in the field of the way they move.

It is time for the Presentation Ceremony...

Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings is up for a quick chat now. He says that there was some movement in the starting overs, and he just wanted to extract that, and he is happy that he was successful today. Mentions that in the second inning here in Dharamshala, the weather gets dropped down and that could be the reason for more swing as it gets a bit cold. States that this win gives a lot of confidence to the team, but there are still some areas that need to be improved. Tells that he was just watching and praying to get that ball caught, and Nehal did well in the deep to hold on to that one, and Marsh is a dangerous player, and they just wanted his wicket. Says that there had been a chat before the match about the top three of LSG, as they are the ones who are scoring runs, and they will improve their chances for the win if they take those wickets, and that was the plan, and he is happy that the execution was good. Further adds that they are just taking it day by day and enjoying the present more.

The captain of Lucknow Super Giants, Rishabh Pant, reflects that they gave away too many runs and also dropped crucial catches, which hurt them badly. On the surface, he says they expected it to do a bit more. Admits they didn't pick the lengths right on and calls it a part and parcel of the game. On their situation in the points table, he states that the dream is still alive and says that if they win their next three games, they can turn things around. On getting the lower order more game time, he reflects that it makes sense when your top order is batting well. Says they need to take the game deep at times.

Earlier in the game, the home side PBKS unleashed batting mayhem after LSG invited them to bat first, with Prabhsimran Singh smashing a scintillating 91 off just 48 deliveries to anchor their mammoth 236-run total. Despite early setbacks, the hosts found their rhythm through Shreyas Iyer's clean striking in a lightning 78-run stand, before Shashank Singh's ruthless 33-run blitz and Stoinis' late assault completed the batting exhibition. LSG's fielding nightmares were punctuated by costly dropped catches, which only intensified their struggles, as all bowlers except Akash Singh, with his two wickets, were mercilessly dispatched to all corners of the park.

With their primary artillery silenced and the required rate soaring beyond reasonable limits, LSG found minimal consolation through Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad's spirited resistance. The young duo landed several thunderous blows in their partnership, offering momentary relief to the visitors even as victory had already drifted well beyond their reach. To minimize damage to their net run rate, Badoni and Samad constructed a determined 81-run alliance that softened the margin of defeat. Badoni's composed fifty was one bright spot for LSG. And despite being 73/5, they did manage to get to 199.

Desperate to release the disc brakes on their faltering chase, Pooran and Pant attempted to engineer a recovery partnership, but Arshdeep's sizzling spell proved impossible to navigate. With the speedster claiming a third high-profile victim in Pooran, LSG's wheels completely locked up, and they just never really got that early headstart. Pant looked like a cat on the hot tin roof, and with the skipper too, into the hut, the damage was done more than enough, with the top four contributing only 37 runs collectively.

With a mountain of 237 runs to scale, LSG's expected fireworks never materialised as Arshdeep and Jansen's disciplined opening spells kept the visitors firmly shackled. The chase took a decisive blow when Arshdeep struck twice in the same over, claiming the prized scalps of Marsh and Markram to hand PBKS commanding control in the early exchanges.

The first match of this season in the lap of the Himalayas has been a highly entertaining one, if not competitive. This is also the highest aggregate score in any match at this venue in the IPL, with 435 runs being scored collectively. Also, Punjab Kings improve their winning record at Dharamsala with this commanding win. They spring to the second spot with 15 points, registering their seventh win this season. Meanwhile, for LSG, with this defeat, things have gotten a bit tricky as they now have more defeats to show than the number of wins this season.

DROPPED BUT PUNJAB KINGS WIN THIS MATCH BY 37 RUNS! Floated it up and well outside off, Avesh Khan reaches out and looks to loft it inside out over cover, but mistimes his shot completely. The ball goes off the bottom part of the bat towards extra cover, where Shreyas Iyer leaps and looks to catch that but spills it out in the end. The batters take no run and this is a comprehensive win for PBKS in their other home, Dharamshala.

FOUR! ANOTHER GOOD SHOT FROM AVESH! Again a flighted ball and wide outside off, from Chahal, Avesh Khan stays leg side of the ball, uses his feet and extends his arms in the end to reach out as he lofts it through covers for a boundary.

Floated up and around middle, Avesh uses his feet again and swings at it but gets an inside edge only onto his front pad.

SIX! GOOD SHOT! Chahal tosses it up and aroud off, Avesh Khan dances down the track and smashes it down the ground over wide long off for a biggie.

Quicker and flatter, around off, Prabhsimran Singh mistimes his lofted shot over the bowler's head for a single.

That was the highest score for Ayush Badoni in his IPL career. Prince Yadav is the next batter in for LSG.