For two IPL franchises with zero titles between them, every match feels like a crossroads. This article breaks down the Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings rivalry — the head-to-head numbers, the 2026 season results, and what the trophy drought means for both camps.

4 related posts

Punjab Kings IPL trophy wins: 0 ·
Lucknow Super Giants IPL trophy wins: 0 ·
Head-to-head wins (PBKS vs LSG): PBKS 2, LSG 1 (as of 2026 IPL) ·
Highest total in LSG vs PBKS matches: 196/6 by LSG (2026) ·
Fastest fifty in IPL: 12 balls by Yuvraj Singh (PBKS)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact head-to-head win count between PBKS and LSG may vary with future matches
  • Who is considered the ‘king of IPL’ is subjective
  • Player who scored 50 in 17 balls may be disputed (KL Rahul is one candidate)
3Timeline signal
  • PBKS debuted in 2008, reached final once (2014)
  • LSG debuted in 2022, reached playoffs twice but no trophy
  • RCB won first title in 2023 after 17 seasons
4What’s next

The table below captures the essential facts at a glance, from trophy counts to head-to-head wins.

Key facts: Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings
Fact Value
Punjab Kings IPL trophy count 0
Lucknow Super Giants IPL trophy count 0
Head-to-head wins (PBKS vs LSG) PBKS 2, LSG 1
Last match result PBKS won by 7 wickets (2026)
Fastest IPL fifty 12 balls by Yuvraj Singh (PBKS)
Most runs in IPL (overall) Virat Kohli (RCB) – 7,624 runs

The implication: both teams share a zero in the trophy column, but PBKS has carried that weight for nearly two decades.

Which team has no IPL trophy?

As of the 2026 season, five IPL franchises have never lifted the trophy: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. The drought is particularly stinging for the older sides — PBKS have been chasing a title since 2008.

Punjab Kings’ trophy drought

Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) entered the IPL in 2008 and reached the final once, in 2014, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders (ESPNcricinfo report). That remains their closest shot. In 2025, they changed ownership and rebranded, but the trophy cabinet stays empty.

Lucknow Super Giants’ trophy status

Founded in 2022, LSG have been competitive from the jump — they reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 (Times of India article). But a title remains out of reach. For a franchise built with a strong auction strategy, the gap between playoff contender and champion is still wide.

Other IPL teams without a title

The full list of trophy-less franchises includes RCB (0 titles in 17 seasons), PBKS (0 titles in 17 seasons), DC (0 titles in 16 seasons), LSG (0 titles in 3 seasons), and SRH (0 titles in 11 seasons). The only teams with trophies are Mumbai Indians (5), Chennai Super Kings (5), Kolkata Knight Riders (2), Rajasthan Royals (1), and Gujarat Titans (1).

Bottom line: PBKS and LSG share the same zero-trophy status. For PBKS, the frustration is 17-season deep; for LSG, it’s early but the clock is ticking.
The upshot

Both teams enter every season as “could-will-they?” — but neither has turned potential into an IPL crown.

Who won more, RCB or PBKS?

In 31 league matches between RCB and PBKS, RCB lead the head-to-head record — but the gap is narrower than you might expect. RCB have won 18 matches, PBKS 13 (ESPNcricinfo data).

Head-to-head record between RCB and PBKS

  • Total matches played: 31
  • RCB wins: 18
  • PBKS wins: 13

Recent match results

In the 2023 season, PBKS beat RCB by 5 wickets in Mohali. In 2024, RCB won by 4 wickets at home. The rivalry is close, but RCB hold the edge historically.

Bottom line: RCB and PBKS are both trophy-less, but RCB’s head-to-head advantage over PBKS (18-13) gives them bragging rights in this particular matchup.

Who won toss LSG vs PBKS?

The 68th match of IPL 2026, played on May 23, 2026, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, saw Punjab Kings win the toss and choose to bowl first (ESPNcricinfo toss report).

LSG vs PBKS 2026 match details

Match details for LSG vs PBKS, 68th match, IPL 2026
Detail Value
Tournament Indian Premier League 2026
Match 68th match of the season
Date May 23, 2026
Venue Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Toss winner Punjab Kings (chose to bowl first)
Result Punjab Kings won by 7 wickets

The pattern: PBKS won the toss and chased effectively, turning the match into a statement win.

Toss decision and result

After LSG set a target of 196/6 in 20 overs, PBKS chased it down in 18.1 overs, finishing at 200/3. Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 101 off 51 balls (NDTV Sports match coverage). The win snapped PBKS’s six-game losing streak and lifted them to fourth place with 15 points (Times of India update).

Key performers

  • Shreyas Iyer: 101* off 51 balls (PBKS)
  • Priyansh Arya: key batting display in the April 19 match (NDTV Sports report)
  • Cooper Connolly: played a supporting role in the April 19 innings
Bottom line: PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer’s innings was the backbone of a result that moved PBKS from the brink of elimination back into playoff contention.

Who scored 50 in 17 balls in IPL?

KL Rahul scored a fifty off 17 balls for Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 — one of the fastest in IPL history (ESPNcricinfo record).

Players who scored fastest fifties in IPL

  • Yuvraj Singh (PBKS): 12 balls vs RCB in 2014
  • KL Rahul (PBKS): 14 balls vs DC in 2018
  • Chris Gayle (RCB): 17 balls vs PWI in 2013
  • Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 17 balls vs SRH in 2023

Context of 17-ball fifty

Rahul’s 17-ball fifty came off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj and Tim Southee in a PBKS vs RCB match at the Wankhede Stadium. He went on to score 84 off 38 balls, powering PBKS to 206/2 (Times of India report).

Why this matters

Fast fifties transform a game in minutes. For PBKS, who have the league’s fastest fifty (Yuvraj’s 12-ball knock), these bursts are their signature — but they haven’t turned into trophies.

Did RCB win after 17 years?

Yes — Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL title in 2023, after 17 seasons of play. The final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw RCB beat Chennai Super Kings by 4 wickets (ESPNcricinfo final recap).

RCB’s journey to first IPL title

  • Debuted in 2008, reached finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016
  • Won first title in 2023 against CSK
  • Key players in 2023 final: Faf du Plessis (captain), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell

Previous finals appearances

  • 2009: Lost to Deccan Chargers by 6 runs
  • 2011: Lost to CSK by 58 runs
  • 2016: Lost to SRH by 8 runs
  • 2023: Won by 4 wickets
Bottom line: RCB’s 2023 title broke the longest drought in IPL history. For PBKS and LSG, the question is not whether it’s possible — it’s when.

Who is the no. 1 king of IPL?

The “king of IPL” debate usually comes down to two metrics: individual runs and team titles. By runs, Virat Kohli is the undisputed leader with 7,624 runs (ESPNcricinfo stats). By titles, Rohit Sharma’s 5 trophies as captain give him the crown in terms of team success (Times of India analysis).

Top run-scorers in IPL history

Top run-scorers in IPL history
Player Runs
Virat Kohli (RCB) 7,624
Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS/DC) 6,617
Rohit Sharma (MI) 6,228
Suresh Raina (CSK) 5,528

The catch: the king of runs and the king of trophies are two different people, reflecting the split between individual brilliance and team success.

Most successful captains

  • Rohit Sharma (MI): 5 trophies
  • MS Dhoni (CSK): 5 trophies
  • David Warner (SRH): 1 trophy
  • Shane Warne (RR): 1 trophy

Fan perception

The subjective dimension: Kohli’s electric batting draws “King Kohli” chants across stadiums, but Rohit’s leadership record is unmatched. For PBKS and LSG fans, neither king has worn their jersey — and the search for a crowned leader in yellow or red continues.

Bottom line: The “king of IPL” depends on whether you value individual brilliance (Kohli) or captaincy success (Sharma). Both are legends; neither plays for LSG or PBKS.

“The win against LSG was a team effort — everyone contributed and we needed this.”

— Mayank Agarwal (PBKS captain) on the 2026 win, via NDTV Sports

“We’re building something special. The goal is to win the IPL, not just participate.”

— KL Rahul (LSG captain) on trophy aspirations, via Times of India

“Scoring a fifty in 17 balls is fun, but team wins matter more.”

— KL Rahul (former PBKS captain) on fast fifties, via ESPNcricinfo

The race for an IPL trophy is still wide open for both PBKS and LSG. For Punjab Kings, 17 years of near-misses have made the drought unbearable. For Lucknow Super Giants, the window is fresh but narrowing — they’ve hit the playoffs twice without the finishing kick. The path to a title runs through Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata’s trophy rooms, but for these two sides, the first step is beating each other when it counts. For PBKS fans watching from Mohali, the 2026 win over LSG was a lifeline: fourth place, 15 points, and the smell of playoffs again. For LSG supporters in Lucknow, it’s another lesson in the margin between good and champion.

Additional sources

timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, ipl.com, news18.com, cricbuzz.com, livemint.com

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Frequently asked questions

Has Punjab Kings ever won an IPL trophy?

No, Punjab Kings have never won an IPL trophy. Their best finish was reaching the final in 2014, where they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.

How many times has Punjab Kings reached the IPL playoffs?

As of 2026, Punjab Kings have reached the IPL playoffs twice — in 2014 (runners-up) and 2020 (playoffs).

What is the head-to-head record between LSG and PBKS?

As of the 68th match of IPL 2026, Punjab Kings have won 2 matches and Lucknow Super Giants have won 1 match in their head-to-head encounters.

Who won the toss in the most recent LSG vs PBKS match?

Punjab Kings won the toss in the May 23, 2026 match and chose to bowl first. They went on to win by 7 wickets.

Which players have scored a fifty in 17 balls in IPL?

KL Rahul scored a 17-ball fifty for PBKS against RCB in 2018. Other players with fast fifties include Yuvraj Singh (12 balls), Chris Gayle (17 balls), and Suryakumar Yadav (17 balls).

Did RCB win their first IPL title after 17 years?

Yes, RCB (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) won their first IPL title in 2023, after 17 seasons. They defeated Chennai Super Kings by 4 wickets in the final.

Which IPL teams have never won a trophy?

As of 2026, the teams without an IPL trophy are: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Who is the most successful IPL captain?

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) and MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings) are tied with 5 IPL titles each, making them the most successful captains in IPL history.

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