Punjab Kings’ hopes of reaching the IPL 2026 playoffs depend on a must-win match against Lucknow Super Giants tonight. The Shreyas Iyer-led side started the season strongly and stayed unbeaten in their first seven games, which put them in a good position for a top-four finish. But things have gone downhill since then, with PBKS losing six matches in a row. Even if they beat LSG tonight, qualification is still not guaranteed.
Apart from their poor run on the field, PBKS have also been in the spotlight for their social media activity. The franchise recently released a statement asking people not to spread “fake news”. An earlier version of the post had mentioned “sports journalists”, but that line was later removed.
Ponting on social media controversy
At the same time, the social media activity of one of the team’s star players has created mixed reactions among fans and experts. With pressure increasing from different sides, many have wondered if these off-field issues have affected the team’s performance.
However, head coach Ricky Ponting rejected the idea that outside distractions have hurt the team.
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“I don’t think anything externally has interrupted us as a team," Ponting told reporters. “I’m not a big social media guy anyway, so I don’t, a lot of the stuff that’s been happening. I’m probably oblivious to (social media)."
“All I can do and control the behaviour of the team and the way that the team prepares and the way that the team plays," he added.
Ponting on PBKS dressing room environment
Ahead of the important clash in Lucknow, Ponting said the atmosphere in the dressing room is still calm and positive. According to him, the team has avoided panic and continues to trust the methods that worked earlier in the season.
“The atmospheres remain very positive and very relaxed," Ponting said. “I think the worst thing you can do in a situation like this is panic and worry about what tomorrow brings. You’ve just got to stick to what you know has worked for you in the past as a player and certainly as a coach and a group of coaches, that’s exactly what we’ve done."
“We’ve done our best to make sure that the environment’s stayed very positive and very relaxed and let the players just go about getting themselves prepared and ready for a game," he added.
PBKS playoffs qualification scenario
For Punjab Kings to make the playoffs, they not only need to beat LSG but also hope that Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders lose their final league matches.