The Punjab Kings (PBKS) were staring at another collapse. They had six straight defeats that had pushed them to the edge and their playoff hopes were slipping away. At 22 for 2 in a must-win chase against Lucknow Super Giants, the pressure inside the dressing room would have been enormous.
That was when Shreyas Iyer finally produced the innings Punjab had been waiting for all season.
The PBKS captain smashed an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls, his maiden IPL century, to guide Punjab to a seven-wicket win in Lucknow and keep their season alive. The timing of Iyer’s first IPL century couldn’t have been better.
For the last few weeks, Iyer had looked short of rhythm. The runs were not flowing as freely as he had only one 20+ score in his previous five outings. But on Saturday night, with Punjab needing somebody to take responsibility, he delivered.
Iyer’s class during chaos
Punjab’s chase could easily have gone downhill after the early wickets. But Iyer never looked rushed. He settled quickly and built the innings smartly alongside Prabhsimran Singh, who continued his excellent season with a rapid 69.
The partnership changed the game after both Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly went early. While Prabhsimran attacked the shorter boundaries square of the wicket, Iyer found gaps and keeping the chase under control. His batting against pace was particularly impressive. He stayed deep inside the crease, giving himself extra time to cut and punch deliveries behind point. Against spin too, he looked confident, using his feet well and rotating strike.
Shami over changes everything
At one stage, Punjab still needed 47 from the last five overs. Yes, PBKS were ahead but their losing streak meant that Punjab were never comfortable. Then Iyer decided to finish it himself.
Mohammed Shami came back into the attack and Iyer took him apart immediately. Three sixes in the over completely swung the chase Punjab’s way. The release shots were clean. One over effectively ended Lucknow’s chances.
From then, equation became such that the focus fell on Iyer’s hundred.
Punjab needed six runs to win. Iyer needed six for the milestone as well. Mohsin Khan tried the slower ball outside off stump, but Iyer quickly adjusted, went deep in the crease and launched it over cow corner for six.
Match won. Century completed. Same ball. He removed his helmet, raised both arms and smiled towards the dressing room.
A statement knock from the PBKS captain
The innings was another reminder of how valuable Iyer can be in T20 cricket when he finds rhythm early. He finished with 11 fours and five sixes, but more importantly, he controlled the chase from start to finish after Punjab’s shaky beginning.
Ricky Ponting later praised his captain and the faith Punjab had shown in him at the auction. And honestly, this was exactly the kind of innings Punjab expected when they built the team around him.
Iyer has now registered six fifty-plus scores this season, matching his best IPL tally. Among PBKS batters, only KL Rahul has recorded more in a single season.
| Player | Balls taken |
|---|---|
| 4595 | Suryakumar Yadav |
| 5025 | Suresh Raina |
| 5075 | Shreyas Iyer |
Pressure building on Suryakumar Yadav?
Iyer’s return to form has come at an interesting time for India’s T20 setup.
With India preparing for the next T20 cycle, selectors are expected to look closely at players who can offer runs in the middle order along with leadership qualities. Right now, Iyer is ticking both boxes.
He has already enhanced his captaincy reputation after leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024, and now he has dragged Punjab back into playoff contention after a terrible losing streak threatened to derail their campaign completely.
At the same time, Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continue to attract attention. The India T20I captain has endured a prolonged lean phase with both form and fitness becoming concerns. His returns in IPL 2026 have been disappointing and questions around his place are naturally growing louder.
That is where Iyer becomes significant.
He looks fitter, more composed and technically sharper than before. The short-ball weakness that opponents once targeted regularly no longer appears as obvious. Instead, he is handling pace with far more confidence and control.
Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I record
| Period | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Until June 2024 | 65 | 2340 | 117 | 43.33 | 167.74 | 4/19 |
| Since July 2024 (took over as captain) | 42 | 932 | 84* | 25.88 | 152.03 | 0/6 |
| Since 2025 | 33 | 702 | 84* | 26.00 | 147.16 | 0/4 |
| In T20 World Cup 2026 | 9 | 242 | 84* | 30.25 | 136.72 | 0/1 |
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