If Punjab drop points tonight, then they will no longer be in contention for the play-offs. Currently at 13 points, the 2014 and 2025 runners-up will get to 15 points with a win against LSG but that still might not be enough for qualification
Published: May 23, 2026 12:00 PM IST
Rishabh Pant’s bottom-sided Lucknow Super Giants welcome Shryeas Iyer’s struggling Punjab Kings in match number 68 of the on-going 2026 Indian Premier League season. This is a do-or-die match for Punjab, who are currently on a losing streak of 6 matches straight after going unbeaten in their first 7 games.
If Punjab drop points tonight, then they will no longer be in contention for the play-offs. Currently at 13 points, the 2014 and 2025 runners-up will get to 15 points with a win against LSG but that still might not be enough for qualification.
Inaugural (2008) winners Rajasthan Royals can spoil every other team’s chances if they are able to beat the Mumbai Indians in their final league outing tomorrow at the Wankhede Stadium. RR is the only team that can breach the 16-point mark and that will leave Punjab in a spot of bother.
The North Indian outfit is desperate to put an end to their losing streak but their opponents Lucknow are as wounded as them. Rishabh Pant’s side were one of the first teams to get eliminated from IPL 2026 along with 5-time champions Mumbai Indians.
The only reason why Punjab should be vary of Lucknow is that the latter team has got nothing to lose and that’s what makes them extremely dangerous. PBKS’ fate lies on how LSG performs against them tonight at the Ekana Stadium.
While Lucknow are coming on the back of a heavy 55-run defeat against Rajasthan, Punjab lost to table toppers Bengaluru by 23 runs in their previous outing. This fixture is more than just a dead rubber as the result will have plenty of implications in the points table.
Lucknow Super Giants Vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2026 match no 68 Predicted XI
LSG: Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Akash Singh, Prince Yadav, Digvesh Rathi
PBKS: Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer (C), Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
