Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs on Sunday, April 19, in Mullanpur, to consolidate their position at the top of the points table.

Rishabh Pant won the toss on Sunday and invited Punjab to bat first. Mohammed Shami struck early as he dismissed Prabhsimran Singh with the third ball of the game. However, this brought Cooper Connolly to the crease, who forged a scintillating 182-run stand off 80 balls to light up the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.

Arya and Connolly smashed 93 (37) and 87 (46), respectively, during an exhilarating display of ball-striking. Marcus Stoinis, Shashank Singh, and Nehal Wadhera also accumulated crucial runs in the back end of the innings to help the hosts finish on 254/7.

In reply, Lucknow got off to a steady start, with Ayush Badoni and Mitchell Marsh adding 61 runs in six overs. However, neither batter could capitalise after getting set. Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram tried to keep LSG in the hunt, chasing down an improbable target, but they had too big a task in hand. Pant and Markram were dismissed for 43 and 42, respectively.

In the end, Lucknow finished on 200/5. For Punjab, Marco Jansen bowled with to finish with figures of 2/37 in his four-over spell. This turns out to be the third defeat on the trot for Lucknow and fourth overall.

Talking Points

1. Priyansh Arya, Cooper Connolly reign supreme

Cooper Connolly survived twice in the second over of the match. For an LBW call, Rishabh Pant didn’t take a DRS, which would have resulted in the Australian batter taking the long walk back to the pavilion. Connolly got another reprieve two balls later when Mohsin Khan dropped him off his own bowling. Priyansh Arya was also dropped on 63, but that was a tough chance. Dangerous batters like Arya and Connolly will make you pay if you give them chances. That was exactly the case on Sunday as they stitched a record-breaking 182-run partnership off just 80 balls.

2. Prince Yadav holds his own in batting paradise

Prince Yadav bowled brilliantly, even when his fellow bowlers were being taken to the cleaners. The right-arm seamer has impressed fans and experts with his gutsy bowling display throughout the season. On Sunday, he bowled four overs and gave away just 25 runs. The youngster also picked up the wickets of Cooper Connolly and Shashank Singh.

3. Too much shuffling in batting order hurting LSG

In their first game, LSG had opened with Rishabh Pant alongside Mitchell Marsh. However, they ditched that plan in the following game, returning to the Markram-Marsh combination. On Sunday, they opened with Ayush Badoni alongside the Australian T20 skipper, sending Markram to No. 5. LSG need to sort their batting order out in a hurry. Nicholas Pooran’s insipid form is also doing them no good.

PBKS vs LSG: Who Said What?

Rishabh Pant, LSG captain

(How is your left elbow?) I think the left hand is getting better, but I got a new tattoo (injury on the right hand) today, so I think something to look forward for me again (smiles). (Where did it go wrong today?) See, it’s difficult to point out one area because, bowlers have been putting up a nice show, but at the same time, there are areas of concern. But there were some positives for us also to work around. There was some glimpse of batting, what we talked about. Definitely look to take some positives, but at the same time, as a team, we’re going to do well each and every match. (Thinking behind sending Ayush Badoni as the opener) I think the idea was to just go out there and play freely. It wasn’t taken just today. It was pre-decided that he’s going to open. It was just something we kept inside. We wanted some freedom on the top order and just (the) middle order wanted to chip in. (You got the players to turn it around) Definitely, we believe in this team for sure. But at the same time when the opposition is playing well, like Punjab is playing now, you’ve got to give credit to them for playing good hard cricket also. (All the best as you try to sort out this puzzle) Thank you boss. We’ll keep (it) positive.

Shreyas Iyer, PBKS captain

(How did the partnership make you feel when you were watching it?) It was exceptional, first of all. Some of the shots I saw were jaw-dropping, honestly speaking. Hitting fast bowlers off the back foot straight, and spinners as well – it takes a lot of courage and composure at the same time, because things can slip at any moment. But the way they built that partnership, especially in the middle overs, it was sensational. (How much do you as a team discuss how you need to become a really good six-hitting side from top to middle?) I was just talking with Cooper and Priyansh at the moment, and we said let us compete in this IPL for who hits the most sixes. We are up for it, and the prize is going to be my bat. So it doesn’t make much sense, but at the end of the day, as long as they keep performing and I keep performing, I’m happy. I personally feel that when you just let them be, let them go out there and express themselves, they deliver at that time. So that has been our mantra so far. I don’t tell them how to go about their specific innings against different teams. I think they’ve got their patterns set, and every individual in the team has their own routines and processes which they follow – and they are delivering. So I don’t have to say much. We just talk, Ricky motivates just before the game, I also chip in with a few words, and definitely the boys come and deliver. (How satisfied were you with the way the middle overs went?) I think the majority of the bowlers in our team are international-level players, and you’ve seen they’ve been doing fantastic for their respective teams internationally. They’ve got immense experience as well. So again, I don’t have to tell them much. We discuss, we have a set of plans against certain batters, and it’s all about execution. I personally feel that today, the way they bowled – and the way they’ve been bowling throughout the season – has been sensational. They just have to keep executing and not get complacent at any point of time. (Making it a bit of a fortress here in New Chandigarh?) Yes, absolutely. I feel that whenever we come and see the wicket now before the game, it gives us immense pleasure that we are a part of this team. Also last year we had to brainstorm about how we were going to come this season and see to it how we build the wicket and support our batsmen as well as bowlers at the same time. So far, so good.

Priyansh Arya, Player of the Match (translated from Hindi)

(What felt the most satisfying in this innings?) Today I batted a little beyond the powerplay and contributed as much as I could for my team. That gave me a lot of satisfaction. (What kind of preparation goes into six-hitting?) No, sir, I don’t practice six-hitting that much. I just practice timing the ball as well as possible, and that helps me in batting. (Tell us about your fitness routine as well) Yes sir, Anand sir and Birla bhaiya, who are our trainers, have been working with us for the last six months. Whatever schedule they send me, I follow it, and it has helped me a lot. You looked completely unfazed when Connolly was struggling at the start. Is that your usual mindset?) Yes sir, if we talk too much, too many thoughts come into my mind. I feel it’s better if we don’t talk too much, then we can play with a clearer mind. (Was there one shot you especially enjoyed?) Sir, I hit a six over point with a slash shot.