Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have faced each other eight times in the IPL since 2022. Punjab Kings currently lead the head-to-head record 5-3, having won four of the last five encounters. The two teams have developed a compelling rivalry that shifted dramatically after LSG won the first three meetings. Their highest-scoring contest saw LSG post 257/5 at Mohali in 2023, while PBKS’s biggest win came via a 54-run victory in April 2026.
The rivalry features some of the IPL’s most explosive talents, including Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant leading their respective sides. Both franchises are yet to win an IPL title, adding extra significance to every meeting between these two ambitious teams.
The Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants rivalry has become one of the most intriguing contests in the Indian Premier League. Since LSG’s entry in 2022, these two teams have delivered some of the most entertaining cricket the tournament has seen from record-breaking totals to last-over thrillers.
What makes this rivalry particularly compelling is its dramatic turnaround. Lucknow dominated the early meetings, winning their first three encounters against Punjab. But the Kings flipped the script entirely, winning four of the last five matches to establish their dominance. With both franchises chasing their maiden IPL title, every Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants clash carries high stakes and intense emotions.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about this burgeoning IPL rivalry head-to-head statistics, top performers, memorable matches, and the current state of both teams in IPL 2026.
Team Overviews
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
History & Background
Punjab Kings are one of the IPL’s original eight franchises, founded in 2008 as Kings XI Punjab before rebranding ahead of the 2021 season. Despite their long tenure, they remain one of the most underperforming teams in IPL history, having never won the title. They have reached the final twice—finishing as runners-up in 2014 and 2025.
2026 Squad & Leadership
| Role | Name |
| Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Head Coach | Ricky Ponting |
| Batting Coach | Brad Haddin |
| Spin Bowling Coach | Sairaj Bahutule |
| Fast Bowling Coach | James Hopes |
Key Players (IPL 2026):
- Shreyas Iyer (c) – 498 runs at 168.81 strike rate
- Arshdeep Singh – Leading wicket-taker in PBKS vs LSG fixtures with 10 wickets
- Marcus Stoinis – Explosive all-rounder
- Yuzvendra Chahal – Leg-spin weapon
- Prabhsimran Singh – 192 runs in 5 innings against LSG at 181.13 strike rate
- Cooper Connolly – 491 runs in debut season at 163.12 strike rate
Home Ground: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) – capacity ~33,000
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
History & Background
Lucknow Super Giants made their IPL debut in 2022 and made an immediate impact, reaching the playoffs in their first two seasons. However, they have struggled since, finishing seventh in both 2024 and 2025. The franchise underwent a major revamp ahead of the 2026 season, including a new logo and fresh leadership.
2026 Squad & Leadership
| Role | Name |
| Captain | Rishabh Pant |
| Head Coach | Justin Langer |
| Batting Coach | Matthew Mott |
| Bowling Coach | Bharat Arun |
| Assistant Coach | Lance Klusener |
Key Players (IPL 2026):
- Rishabh Pant (c) – 312 runs in 14 matches at 146.79 strike rate
- Nicholas Pooran – 131 runs against PBKS, top run-scorer in this fixture
- Mitchell Marsh – 563 runs in IPL 2026, first LSG player with 500+ runs in back-to-back seasons
- Josh Inglis – 72 off 44 in final match against PBKS
- Mohammed Shami – Pace spearhead
- Ayush Badoni – LSG’s most capped player (56 matches)
Home Ground: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
PBKS vs LSG: Head-to-Head Record
Overall Statistics
| Statistic | Detail |
| Total Matches | 8 (IPL 2022–2026) |
| PBKS Wins | 5 |
| LSG Wins | 3 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Highest Total | 257/5 (LSG, Mohali, 2023) |
| Lowest Total | 133/8 (PBKS, Pune, 2022) |
| Current Streak | PBKS – 4 of last 5 |
Source:
Season-by-Season Breakdown
| Season | Matches | LSG Wins | PBKS Wins | Notable Result |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | LSG won by 20 runs, Pune |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 1 | PBKS won at Ekana (2 wkts); LSG won 257/5 at Mohali |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 | LSG won by 21 runs at Ekana |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 2 | PBKS: 8 wkts at Ekana; 37 runs at Dharamsala |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 2 | PBKS: 54 runs (New Chandigarh); 7 wkts (Lucknow) |
Source:
The Turning Point
The rivalry’s narrative shifted dramatically on April 15, 2023, when Punjab Kings became the first team to beat Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium. That victory broke LSG’s early dominance and marked the beginning of PBKS’s resurgence in this fixture. Since that match, Punjab have won four of five encounters, transforming what was once a one-sided contest into a fiercely competitive rivalry.
IPL 2026: The Two Encounters
Match 29 – New Chandigarh (April 19, 2026)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 54 runs
| Team | Score | Overs |
| PBKS | 254/7 | 20.0 |
| LSG | 200/5 | 20.0 |
Punjab Kings extended their unbeaten run with a commanding victory, posting the highest total of the season. Priyansh Arya (93 off 37) and Cooper Connolly (87 off 46) forged a stunning 182-run partnership for the second wicket. The 11th and 12th overs yielded 37 runs, followed by a 32-run onslaught against Aiden Markram in the 13th over.
Match 68 – Lucknow (May 23, 2026)
Result: Punjab Kings won by 7 wickets
| Team | Score | Overs |
| LSG | 196/6 | 20.0 |
| PBKS | 200/3 | 18.0 |
Shreyas Iyer scored his maiden IPL century – an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes. He shared a crucial 140-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh (69 off 39) to chase down the target with an over to spare. Josh Inglis (72 off 44) was LSG’s top scorer.
Top Performers in PBKS vs LSG Matches
Most Runs
| Batter | Team | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
| Prabhsimran Singh | PBKS | 5 | 192 | 38.40 | 181.13 | 91 |
| Ayush Badoni | LSG | 6 | 175 | 35.00 | 149.57 | 74* |
| Nicholas Pooran | LSG | 5 | 137 | 27.40 | 180.26 | 45 |
| Marcus Stoinis | Both | 5 | 122 | 30.50 | 169.44 | 72 |
Source:
Most Wickets
| Bowler | Team | Innings | Wickets | Economy | Average | Best Figures |
| Arshdeep Singh | PBKS | 6 | 10 | 8.54 | 18.80 | 3/16 |
| Kagiso Rabada | PBKS | 4 | 9 | 10.12 | 18.00 | 4/38 |
| Sam Curran | PBKS | 3 | 7 | 8.81 | 13.85 | 3/28 |
| Mohsin Khan | LSG | 2 | 5 | 7.25 | 11.60 | 3/24 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | LSG | 5 | 5 | 10.18 | 33.60 | 2/18 |
Source:
Key observation: Punjab Kings bowlers dominate the wicket-taking charts, with Arshdeep Singh leading all bowlers with 10 wickets in just 6 innings against LSG.
2026 Season Performance Comparison
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
| Statistic | Value |
| Matches | 14 |
| Wins | 7 |
| Losses | 6 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Points | 15 |
| Net Run Rate | +0.309 |
| Position | 5th (missed playoffs) |
Source:
Season Summary: PBKS stormed through the first half of IPL 2026 without tasting defeat, winning six of their first seven matches. They spent 22 days as table toppers but suffered a dramatic collapse in the second half, losing six consecutive matches. Despite ending with a victory over LSG, they failed to secure a playoff berth.
Key Issues: PBKS had the worst-performing bowling unit of the season – worst average (42.54), strike rate (24.5), and economy rate (10.40). They also dropped 16 catches from 56 opportunities.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
| Statistic | Value |
| Matches | 14 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Losses | 10 |
| Points | 8 |
| Net Run Rate | -0.740 |
| Position | 10th (last) |
Source:
Season Summary: LSG showed early promise with two wins in their first three games but managed only two wins in their next 11 matches to finish at the bottom of the table. At home, they lost five of seven matches at Ekana Stadium.
Captaincy Record: Rishabh Pant managed only 10 wins in 28 matches as LSG captain, with a losing percentage of 60.71% – the worst among LSG captains. He stepped down from captaincy following the season.
The Rivalry at a Glance
| Aspect | Punjab Kings | Lucknow Super Giants |
| IPL Debut | 2008 | 2022 |
| IPL Titles | 0 | 0 |
| Best Finish | Runners-up (2014, 2025) | Playoffs (2022, 2023) |
| H2H Record | 5 wins | 3 wins |
| 2026 Position | 5th | 10th |
| Current Captain | Shreyas Iyer | Rishabh Pant (stepped down) |
| Head Coach | Ricky Ponting | Justin Langer |
FAQs
1. How many times have Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants played each other?
Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have faced each other eight times in the IPL since LSG’s debut in 2022. Their first meeting was in the 2022 season, and they have played at least once every season since.
2. Who has won the most matches between PBKS and LSG?
Punjab Kings currently lead the head-to-head record with 5 wins compared to Lucknow Super Giants’ 3 wins. However, LSG won the first three encounters before PBKS turned the tide with four wins in the last five matches.
3. What is the highest score in PBKS vs LSG matches?
The highest total in this fixture is 257/5, scored by Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings at Mohali in April 2023. The match was won by LSG by 56 runs.
4. Who is the leading run-scorer in PBKS vs LSG matches?
Prabhsimran Singh of Punjab Kings is the leading run-scorer in this fixture with 192 runs in 5 innings at an impressive strike rate of 181.13. He averages 38.40 against LSG.
5. Who is the leading wicket-taker in PBKS vs LSG matches?
Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings tops the wicket-taking charts with 10 wickets in 6 innings against Lucknow Super Giants. He maintains an economy rate of 8.54 and an average of 18.80 in this fixture.
6. When did Punjab Kings first beat Lucknow Super Giants?
Punjab Kings’ first victory over LSG came on April 15, 2023, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. They won by 2 wickets, becoming the first team to beat LSG at their home ground.
7. What happened in the PBKS vs LSG matches in IPL 2026?
Punjab Kings won both encounters against Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026. The first was a 54-run victory in New Chandigarh (April 19), followed by a 7-wicket win in Lucknow (May 23), where Shreyas Iyer scored his maiden IPL century.
8. Who captains Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants?
Shreyas Iyer captains Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. Rishabh Pant captained Lucknow Super Giants but stepped down after the 2026 season following a disappointing campaign that saw LSG finish last.
9. Have PBKS or LSG ever won the IPL title?
Neither franchise has won an IPL title. Punjab Kings have reached the final twice (2014 and 2025) but finished as runners-up both times. Lucknow Super Giants’ best performance was reaching the playoffs in their first two seasons (2022 and 2023).
10. Where do Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants play their home matches?
Punjab Kings’ primary home ground is the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, with Dharamshala as a secondary venue. Lucknow Super Giants play at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
CONCLUSION
The Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants rivalry has quickly become one of the IPL’s most compelling matchups. What began as LSG’s dominance three consecutive wins in their first three meetings has transformed into a fiercely competitive contest, with Punjab Kings winning four of the last five encounters and establishing a 5-3 overall lead.
Both franchises share a common pursuit: their maiden IPL title. Punjab Kings, one of the league’s original teams, have twice fallen short in finals (2014, 2025). Lucknow Super Giants, despite early playoff appearances (2022, 2023), have regressed in recent seasons, finishing last in 2026. This shared hunger for glory adds significant weight to every meeting.
The 2026 season encapsulated the rivalry’s drama perfectly. PBKS dominated both encounters a 54-run thrashing in New Chandigarh and a 7-wicket victory in Lucknow, highlighted by Shreyas Iyer’s maiden IPL century. Yet neither team ultimately qualified for the playoffs, underscoring the fine margins in modern IPL cricket.
As both franchises look ahead to 2027 PBKS under Ricky Ponting’s continued guidance and LSG searching for new leadership after Rishabh Pant’s resignation the Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants rivalry promises more fireworks. With explosive batters, world-class bowlers, and two title-hungry organizations, every future clash will be a must-watch for cricket fans worldwide.
