New Delhi, May 22 -- Punjab Kings face a must-win situation against already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday as they attempt to keep their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive after a dramatic late-season collapse threatened to undo what once looked like a title-contending campaign.
Punjab's season has taken a dramatic turn after their record-breaking 265-run chase against Delhi Capitals on April 25. At one stage, they looked like one of the strongest teams in the tournament, winning six of their first seven matches and appearing genuine contenders for the title.
However, the Shreyas Iyer-led side have since suffered six consecutive defeats, slipping to fifth place in the points table and leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread...