A 182-run partnership between Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly powered Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a 54-run win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 29th match of IPL 2026 on Sunday . Captain Iyer revealed that he doesn’t tell Priyansh and Connolly how to play their innings.
Following the victory, Shreyas Iyer, as captain, praised the team’s performance, saying that the batsmen played exceptionally well, with some of their shots being astonishing. He added that it takes a lot of courage and composure to play such shots.
Iyer revealed that he was jokingly discussing with Cooper and Priyansh Arya who would hit the most sixes this season, and both players are ready for the challenge. He said, “I was just talking to Cooper and Priyansh, we were challenging each other to see who would hit the most sixes this season, they are ready for it. When you just let them play their way, let them go out on the field and express themselves freely, they perform well. I don’t tell them how to play their innings. They have their own routine and method. Ricky (Ponting) talks to them before the match and I also give my opinion, that’s all.”
Regarding the bowling unit, Iyer said that most of the team’s bowlers are international-level, and their performance speaks for itself. According to him, the key to success lies in proper execution. The captain said that when the team plans based on the wicket, it gives the players immense confidence and satisfaction.
Batting first in the match played at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Punjab Kings made 254 for 7. The team lost Prabhsimran Singh (0) at the score of just 3. Priyansh Arya then shared a 182-run partnership for the second wicket with Cooper Connolly in 80 balls to take the team towards a huge total.
Cooper Connolly was dismissed for 87 off 46 balls, including 7 sixes and 8 fours, while Priyansh scored 93 off 37 balls, including 9 sixes and 4 fours. Marcus Stoinis also contributed 29 runs. For the opposition, Prince Yadav and Manimaran Siddharth took 2 wickets each.
In response, the Lucknow Super Giants managed just 200 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Rishabh Pant scored 43 runs off 23 balls, while Aiden Markram contributed 42 runs. Mitchell Marsh also scored 40 runs. Marco Jansen took two wickets for the opposition.
