India, May 24 -- Punjab Kings did not only beat Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in Lucknow. They bought themselves another night in the playoff race through one innings that carried match value, captaincy value and season value in the same frame.

LSG put 196/6 on the board at the Ekana Stadium. It was not a chase that allowed comfort. Punjab had to go hard, but not brainlessly. They needed control after choosing to field first. They needed someone to absorb the scoreboard pressure, keep the rate from becoming a monster, and still close the game early enough to protect net run-rate pressure and playoff momentum.

Shreyas Iyer delivered that entire package. His 101 not out off 51 balls, with 11 fours and five sixes, was not a decorat...