Punjab Kings walked into the field a week after their first win against Gujarat Titans. However, this game had everything—breathtaking strokes, unorthodox shots, gravity-defying catches, and a captain's masterclass from both teams. However, Punjab Kings had the last laugh and stormed to the second spot of the table with a resounding eight-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium. They now are boasting a formidable net run rate of 1.485. With just 172 to chase, Punjab Kings began with a flourish, courtesy of an explosive start by Prabhsimran Singh. The wicketkeeper-batter was in a destructive mood, smashing 69 off just 34 balls, laced with nine boundaries and three sixes. His audacious strokeplay kept LSG’s bowlers at bay, giving Punjab a flying start. However, his show-stopping innings came to an end in dramatic fashion when Ayush Badoni and Ravi Bishnoi combined for an acrobatic relay catch near the boundary, a moment that had the crowd in awe. Shreyas Iyer, the Punjab Kings captain, then took charge. He anchored the innings with a mix of classical strokeplay and brutal hitting, crafting a composed yet authoritative 52* off 30 balls. At the other end, impact player Nehal Wadhera played a scintillating supporting role, smashing 43* off 25, ensuring the chase was never out of Punjab’s grasp. The finishing touch? A vintage Iyer moment. With Punjab just one hit away from victory, Iyer stepped forward and launched a stunning six over deep midwicket, sealing the win in emphatic fashion. For the LSG’s Digvesh Rathi was the lone shining star picking up both wickets, including a charged-up moment when he dismissed Priyansh Arya and theatrically displayed his palms in celebration. However, LSG’s bowling unit failed to apply sustained pressure, allowing Punjab’s batters to dominate. Read also: Digvesh Rathi’s Epic Send-Off to Priyansh Arya Stuns Fans Inconsistent batting contribution from LSG batters On being send to bat earlier, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) posted a decent 171/7 in their 20 overs, but their innings was a mix of starts and stutters. Aiden Markram (28 off 18) provided early momentum before falling to Lockie Ferguson, while Nicholas Pooran (44 off 30) and Ayush Badoni (41 off 33) steadied the middle order. Abdul Samad’s explosive 27 off 12 in the death overs ensured LSG had a respectable total. However, key players like Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh failed to fire. Punjab Kings' bowlers displayed a collective effort, despite occasional lapses in the field. Arshdeep Singh (3/43) was the standout, dismissing key batters at crucial moments. Yuzvendra Chahal, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, and Ferguson chipped in with a wicket each, preventing LSG from accelerating too much. While Punjab’s bowlers conceded runs in patches, they managed to strike at regular intervals, ensuring the target remained within reach for their batting lineup.