IPL 2026: Cricket fraternity reacts as Shreyas Iyer’s maiden IPL century against LSG keeps PBKS' playoff hopes alive

PBKS reached 15 points after beating LSG, temporarily securing the 4th spot.

By Salman Anjum - 24 May, 2026

Shreyas Iyer produced a captain's knock as Punjab Kings (PBKS) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by seven wickets on Saturday (May 23) at Ekana Cricket Stadium to stay alive in the IPL 2026 playoff race.

Invited to bat first, LSG racked up 196/6 in 20 overs. Josh Inglis was the top scorer with 44-ball 72, while Ayush Badoni (43 off 18) and Abdul Samad (37* off 20) made vital contributions. Marco Jansen (2-33) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2-25) picked up two wickets each for PBKS.

Chasing a target of 197, Shreyas remained unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls to take PBKS over the line with two overs to spare. The skipper stitched a match-defining 140-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh, who smashed 69 off 39 to help the cause.

With this win, the franchise reached 15 points in 14 league matches, temporarily securing the 4th spot. While PBKS broke their six-match losing streak, they still remain dependent on other results to officially seal a playoff berth.

For his maiden IPL century in a must-win fixture, Shreyas Iyer garnered rich praise from the cricket fraternity on social media platform X.

Here are the reactions:

.@prabhsimran01 continues with his great form in a crunch game but in the end sarpanch @ShreyasIyer15 packs a punch with a brilliant hundred! Whatever the results it’s just great to see how Shreyas has led from the front! Good luck @PunjabKingsIPL! Also great to see…
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) May 23, 2026

What a way to get his first ???? in the IPL. @ShreyasIyer15 brilliant batting.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 23, 2026

This is the kind of win that builds belief in a team ???? @PunjabKingsIPL stepping up in a must-win game with @ShreyasIyer15 leading from the front and @prabhsimran01 setting the tone. Congratulations boys ????
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 23, 2026

Shreyas Iyer shows character. Leads from the front, delivers when matters. Punjab Kings hadn't won a game for almost a month, Shreyas changed it for them. A 100 in a run chase on a difficult lucknow pitch - for me the best hundred in this IPL.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 23, 2026

On the big day, the big players stand up and Shreyas Iyer played like the big player he is. Very classy. The kind of performance that earns a leader the respect of the team.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2026

Today’s verdict: ShreYES ✅

PBKS Waiting and hoping for that crucial “NO” from RR/KKR now. #IPL2026
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) May 23, 2026

Excellent ???? by Shreyas Iyer in a must win game. Captain leading from the front ????????#ShreyasIyer #PBKSvsLSG
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) May 23, 2026

First IPL century - And boy, if PBKS go on to qualify tomorrow - This hundred might just become a folk tale in Punjab .. That was brilliant @ShreyasIyer15 ????#PBKS #LSG
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) May 23, 2026

Cometh the hour, cometh the Iyer!!
Captains knock through and through! Brilliant partnership under pressure between Prabh and Iyer to keep Punjab alive, well played ???????? #LSGvPBKS #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/JSDFbdhHHq
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 23, 2026

Cometh the hour, cometh the man!
Shreyas gets his team across the line and keeps them alive!
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 23, 2026

By Salman Anjum - 24 May, 2026

IPL 2026: Cricket fraternity reacts as Shreyas Iyer’s maiden IPL century against LSG keeps PBKS' playoff hopes alive

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