Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has said that the six-hitting competition within the team is the reason PBKS scored the highest total of IPL 2026.

Sunday was a run-feast for the unbeaten Punjab Kings at their home turf in Chandigarh. Priyansh Arya scored 93 and Cooper Connolly 87 as Punjab posted 254 for 7 and thrashed Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs.

Batting first, Punjab, which has now become a team to beat this season, performed exceptionally well.

Iyer, while praising his team during the post-match presentation, said, ‘Exceptional partnership; some shots were jaw-dropping. Hitting fast bowlers off the back foot straight. Composure in the middle overs was sensational.”

“It appeared that both Arya and Cooper were competing against each other for the maximum number of sixes. The prize is my bat. I know it doesn’t make sense, but it makes us all happy,” Iyer said.

“My mantra as a captain is simple — allow players to express themselves and they deliver. That’s what happened today and has been happening for us in this year’s IPL,” he added.

The duo put up a 182-run stand for the second wicket in just 13.2 overs to set up the massive 54-run victory on Sunday.

Iyer said, “I don’t tell them how to go about their specific innings. They have their patterns set. Ricky Ponting motivates just before the game, I chip in, and the boys come in and deliver.”

Also read: PBKS register season’s highest total, beat LSG