Punjab Kings finally ended a painful slump, and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal marked the occasion with some humour about the Mumbai Indians against Rajasthan Royals game still to come.
A commanding chase
Pursuing 197, PBKS were led by captain Shreyas Iyer, who finished unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls. He added 140 with Prabhsimran Singh, and Punjab got home comfortably in 18 overs.
Relief after a long slump
The result eased the pressure on a side that began the season brilliantly with six wins from their first seven games, then lost six in a row, bringing them close to elimination. Chahal said the period was hard, but that the squad stayed together and kept the mood positive. Even in practice, he said, the focus was on themselves and finding a way to claim two points, since their last win was almost a month earlier. That made this win feel special.
Waiting on other results
Qualification is still not in Punjab’s hands. They need Mumbai Indians to beat Rajasthan Royals, and they also hope Kolkata Knight Riders do not overtake them on net run rate.
Chahal lightened the mood by joking that he hoped Rajasthan would lose and veteran opener Rohit Sharma would hit 200, adding that it had been a long time. Meanwhile, KKR remain mathematically alive and face Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens on May 24 in a must-win match.
