Bhubaneswar, May 24: The Punjab Kings (PBKS) kept their playoff hopes alive with a crucial win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), finishing their league campaign strongly.

However, their qualification now depends on the outcomes of Sunday’s double‑header — MI vs RR at the Wankhede and KKR vs DC at the Eden Gardens. Delhi Capitals (DC) have already been eliminated, leaving a three‑way tussle between PBKS, Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the fourth and final playoff berth.

PBKS and KKR in the Race

PBKS’ victory, sealed with 12 balls to spare, boosted their net run rate (NRR) to +0.309 — comfortably ahead of KKR’s +0.083. This means RR’s result against Mumbai Indians (MI) will be decisive.

Also read: MS Dhoni at Chepauk: The Night That FeltLike Goodbye

If RR lose, PBKS (15 points) stand a strong chance of qualifying, unless KKR (13 points) produce a massive win over DC to leapfrog them on NRR.

For KKR, the equation is steep: they must not only beat DC but do so emphatically. Scenarios suggest a win by 77 runs when defending 200, or chasing 180 in just over 12-12.4 overs, would be required to surpass PBKS’ NRR.

RR Hold the Key

All calculations become irrelevant if RR defeat MI in the first game of Sunday’s double‑header. A win would take them to 16 points, securing the last playoff spot outright. A loss, however, would open the door for PBKS and keep KKR’s slim hopes alive until the final ball of the league stage.

Shreyas Shines Bright

Captain Shreyas Iyer struck his maiden IPL century to guide PBKS to a seven‑wicket win over LSG and break their six-game losing streak to keep their playoff hopes alive at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday.

In response to LSG’s 196/6, Punjab hunted down the target in 18 overs, with Iyer unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls, studded with 11 fours and five sixes coming at a strike-rate of 198.04. Apart from wowing the crowd with his sublime innings, Iyer also shared a crucial 140-run stand with Prabhsimran Singh, who hit 69 off 39 balls.

Earlier, riding on Josh Inglis’s fluent 72 off 44 balls and Abdul Samad’s unbeaten 37 off 20 deliveries, LSG posted 196/6, though it looked like they finished well short of a par score. For PBKS, Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen were the standout bowlers with two scalps each.