Police intervene as Punjab Kings secure playoff hopes with victory over Lucknow
Punjab Kings move to fourth on the points table after defeating Lucknow Super Giants, while police address misconduct involving fans and cheerleaders at Ekana Cricket Stadium.
Punjab Kings have moved into fourth place on the IPL 2026 points table following a seven-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday. The win, driven by a maiden IPL century from captain Shreyas Iyer, ends a six-match losing streak for the franchise and keeps their playoff aspirations alive.
The match, however, was marred by disorder in the stands. Police intervened during the contest after fans allegedly misbehaved with cheerleaders. Visuals from the stadium showed police officials taking action against the group, with female police personnel observed speaking to the individuals involved to control the situation.
On the field, Iyer’s innings proved decisive. The captain led a clinical chase, celebrating his century by removing his helmet and raising his arms to seal the victory. The result places Punjab Kings on 15 points from 14 matches, with a net run rate of +0.309.
Head coach Ricky Ponting praised the team’s performance and Iyer’s leadership under pressure. Ponting noted that the captain had delivered a mature innings and highlighted the contributions of Prabhsimran and Priyansh, describing their recent form as outstanding. He added that the team would review the outcome of other matches to determine their final standing.
The playoff picture remains unsettled. Punjab Kings have not yet officially secured a top-four spot and will monitor Sunday’s clash between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium. If Rajasthan Royals win, they will move to 16 points and surpass Punjab Kings. If Mumbai Indians defeat Rajasthan, Kolkata Knight Riders retain an outside chance of overtaking Punjab on net run rate.
Several established franchises have been eliminated from contention. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals are out with 12 points each, while five-time champions Mumbai Indians sit ninth with eight points. Lucknow Super Giants finish at the bottom of the table with eight points and a net run rate of -0.740.
