Marsh has been in exceptional form for LSG despite a slow season for the franchise, as the batter amassed 563 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 163.19 in 13 matches
If PBKS lose to LSG, they will be eliminated from the playoffs race despite starting their season with a seven-game unbeaten run
LSG will have the chance to avoid the wooden spoon finish if they beat PBKS by a big margin in Lucknow
With the playoff race reaching a tense stage, both teams have plenty at stake heading into this contest.
With RCB, SRH and GT already through to the playoffs, just one spot remains open in the top four
Punjab have lost their 6th consecutive match this season with their playoffs berth looking risky now.
Punjab Kings have been handed their 6th defeat on the trot as their playoffs berth looks like a distant dream at the moment.
The news was confirmed by Jitesh as he came up at the toss. However, he did also confirm that the batter will likely return towards Hyderabad.
After an outstanding start to the season where they remained unbeaten through their opening seven matches, Punjab Kings have suffered a dramatic collapse in form.
JioHotstar in India will stream the IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on its app and website.
Punjab Kings began the season in sensational fashion, staying unbeaten across their first seven matches and looking like one of the strongest sides in the tournament.
Dharamshala has hosted two matches this season so far, with both encounters turning into high-scoring affairs where teams comfortably crossed the 200-run mark.
Defending champions RCB still hold the top spot in the points table with 16 points in 12 matches and a healthy net run rate of +1.053
Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin admitted that his side has struggled to cope with pressure after it suffered a fifth successive defeat to continue a stunning mid-season slump in the ongoing Indian Premier League. PBKS' latest loss came against Mumbai Indians, who emerged winners by six wickets in a last-ball thriller in the hill town on Thursday night. It was a far cry from the seven-match unbeaten streak that PBKS enjoyed earlier in the season. The latest setback has left PBKS with a must-win scenario in their remaining two games to stay in playoff contention. "We have just not been able to handle pressure in the last few defeats. We have not played our best cricket when we need to, which has been disappointing," Haddin said in the post-match press conference. "We are as disappointed as you guys are with the way we started the tournament and where we are now. There is no hiding that we've got to play better." PBKS appeared to be in control while defending 200 before an .
PBKS currently occupy the fourth spot on the points table with six victories from 12 matches.
The Shreyas Iyer-led side enjoyed a sensational start to the campaign, remaining unbeaten in their opening seven matches, but their momentum has dipped significantly in recent weeks.
JioHotstar in India will stream the IPL 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians on its app and website.
Mumbai Indians have already been knocked out of the playoff race following their defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their previous outing.
Suryakumar Yadav will continue leading the side in Hardik Pandya's absence but has struggled for form.
The top two sides earn a major advantage by playing in Qualifier 1, with the winner progressing directly to the final. The losing team gets another opportunity through Qualifier 2.