IPL 2025: Punjab Kings thump LSG by 37 runs; take one step closer to playoffs

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have moved one step closer to the IPL 2025 playoffs with a 37-run win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). It was a clinical win for the home side, who dominated the proceedings first with the bat and then with the ball. Put into bat, PBKS managed to score a massive 236 on the board. In reply, LSG could manage only 199 runs on the board for the loss of seven wickets. 

The win now puts PBKS second in the points table with 15 points from 11 games. For the record, Bengaluru are top of the table with 16 points from 11 games while Mumbai and Gujarat are third and fourth, respectively, with 14 points each. Mumbai has played 11 games and the Titans have played 10 games so far. Both sides are set to meet each other in a huge contest at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. 

Earlier in the day, Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by one run to move to sixth in the table. This loss now has put LSG in the seventh spot with 10 points and three matches left to play. It was a day to forget for Rishabh Pant and his men, who failed to do well with the ball after winning the toss. 

Ayush Badoni stands tall amidst the ruins for LSG

Needing 237 runs to win the game, LSG got off to a miserable start when their top three batters were dismissed by Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm seamer got the wickets of Mitchell Marsh for a duck and then Aiden Markram bowled for 13, as well as Nicholas Pooran LBW for six runs. 

The pair of Shashank Singh and bowler Azmatullah Omarzai got the key wickets of Rishabh Pant and David Miller to leave LSG struggling at 73 for five. There was a spark of hope when Abdul Samad and Ayush Badoni went after the PBKS bowlers. The pair added 81 runs for the sixth wicket in 41 balls. 

Abdul Samad was out after scoring 45, while Badoni top scored with 74 off 40 balls. The best bowler for the home side was Arshdeep Singh with figures of 3/16 from his four overs. Punjab Kings next host Delhi Capitals on 8th May in Dharamshala, while LSG will host RCB a day later at the Ekana Stadium. 

For LSG to make it to the playoffs, they have to win each of their last three games of the season. This will help Lucknow end up with 16 points and hope that other results go their way. For Punjab, a win against Delhi in their next game will ensure their safe passage into the playoffs.