Punjab Kings Stay Unbeaten With Record 254 Score

Punjab Kings just answered the only question mark hanging over their perfect season: they're unstoppable whether batting first or second.

The team posted a jaw-dropping 254 runs against Lucknow Super Giants at Chandigarh, securing their position as the only unbeaten squad in IPL 2026. Last season's runners-up defeated Lucknow by 54 runs in a performance that had fans on their feet all night.

The real fireworks came from southpaw batters Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, who turned the middle overs into a highlight reel. The duo smashed an incredible 78 runs in just 22 deliveries, launching 10 sixes during that explosive stretch.

Connolly treated fans to back-to-back maximums off Pakistan's Mohammed Shami, whose slower balls have been nearly unhittable this season. Then spinner Aiden Markram learned the hard way what Punjab's power looks like, getting hammered for 32 runs in a single over as both batters swung freely through the line.

By the 13th over, Punjab had already cleared the boundary 16 times. Their aggressive approach paid off even after both Arya and Connolly departed, with the team's deep batting lineup pushing the total to a season high.

Lucknow's star-studded batting order featuring Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, and Nicholas Pooran tried to match the pace early on. Pant blazed to 42 off just 23 balls, keeping hopes alive for a thrilling chase.

But Punjab's bowling attack, led by another stellar performance from spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, shut down the chase when it mattered most. Arshdeep Singh removed the dangerous Pant with a well-executed delivery, and Lucknow never recovered.

Why This Inspires

This Punjab Kings team is rewriting what's possible in cricket's most competitive league. Captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting have built something special since joining forces, creating a fearless batting unit that swings for the fences regardless of the situation.

Their confidence runs so deep that Iyer described the match as "us vs us" at the coin toss. That mindset is paying off as Punjab has now successfully chased 200-plus totals twice and dominated while setting targets, proving they're complete in every situation.

The unbeaten streak continues, and Punjab Kings are showing the cricket world that last season's heartbreak in the finals was just the beginning of their story.