IPL 2026: Cheerleader Targeted By Spectator Throwing Phone Number During LSG Vs PBKS Clash (WATCH)

An unpleasant incident involving fans and cheerleaders occurred during the IPL 2026 clash between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, May 23.

Punjab Kings kept their hopes alive for the playoffs by ending their six-match losing streak following a seven-wicket victory over the Lucknow Super Giants. With a 197-run target, the PBKS chased it down in 18 overs or 12 balls to spare. Shreyas Iyer played an unbeaten captain's knock of 101 off 51 balls, and his 140-run partnership for the third wicket with Prabhsimran Singh (69 off 38 balls) anchored the clinical chase.

Iyer also shared an unbeaten 38-run stand for the fourth wicket with Suryansh Shedge (9 off 7 balls) to seal the victory with 12 balls to spare. With this victory, Punjab Kings moved up to fourth spot on the points table with 13 points, keeping their mathematical playoff chances alive by a thread.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Sachin Tendulkar praises son Arjun's 'patience, hard work'

Spectator's Misbehaviour with Cheerleader Goes Viral

As the Punjab Kings secured a crucial victory over Lucknow Super Giants, the focus quickly shifted away from the celebration on the field to a deeply unsettling off-field incident that took social media by storm. A spectator seated near the boundary area allegedly troubled the cheerleaders during the match.

In a video that went viral on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), an LSG cheerleader was seen expressing her displeasure by gesturing“don't do that” after a spectator allegedly threw a paper ball containing his phone number at her. Visibly uncomfortable with the persistent disturbance, she stood her ground and made it clear that such actions were entirely unacceptable.

However, the police officials immediately intervened and took quick action against the group of fans involved in the disturbance. Visuals from the Ekana stadium showed law enforcement personnel, including female police officers, rushing to the specific stand to control the situation.

SPECTATOR THROW PAPER BALL ON CHEERLEADER WITH HIS PHONE NUMBER - In today's LSG vs PBKS match in lucknow a spectator throw his number on a cheerleader FOR POLICE OFFICER twitter/m8Tcfibjn6

- Jeet (@JeetN25) May 23, 2026

During the ongoing IPL season, the cheerleaders have encountered similar challenges with crowd behaviour, which previously prompted stadium management at venues like Ekana to take the extreme measure of installing protective wire netting around the performance stages. However, the latest incident highlights that even physical barriers haven't fully curbed the audacity of some unruly fans.

'The Audacity is Unreal': Netizens Slam Unruly Spectator for Harassing Cheerleader

The viral incident sparked a wave of furious reactions across social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts heavily slamming the spectator's absolute lack of civic sense.

Taking to their X handles, the netizens strongly condemned the spectators' behaviour, calling it 'disgraceful,' 'shameful,' and a reflection of poor civic sense, while many also questioned the continued presence of cheerleaders in cricket stadiums amid recurring incidents of harassment and misconduct.

Cheerleader annoyed when a spectator throws paper with his number in Lucknow do we still have this cheerleader thing in 2026 in the first place, knowing the civic sense of our people? twitter/FHIqEvgvzP

- Joohi (@juhijain199) May 24, 2026

Gazab confidence hai. Inko lagta hai ladki jaise inhe call har hi legi. Jahazi (@Oye_Jahazi) May 24, 2026

Man and their Audacity IshanFanAccount (@Ishanworld32) May 24, 2026

This is not first time they're doing, lucknow se har baar aisa hi news aata hai..few days back someone said something to cheerleaders. Lucknow ground is the only ground in India have have Nets so that audience won't enter inside ground. Govt can't do anything if people mindset... Mahicasm2.0 (@ItsMahicasm) May 24, 2026

Some clowns are blaming cheerleaders instead of that dehati person Ishii Singh Mazari (@Sir_Undertakerr) May 24, 2026

I still wonder what's the point of having cheerleaders in 2026? That too in a country like India where majority of the spectators are illiterates. Teams should consider this in the future and get rid of it before it becomes worse. This isn't a safe country. Ajc (@aaryanmufc) May 24, 2026

@ICC @BCCI @AmitShah @AmitShahOffice if international cricket doesn't have this worst culture cheer girls why this introduced in IPL is disgraceful, disrespectful to woman. Basically you are telling woman is object. Please ban this, people watch for cricket @PMOIndia Advaith y (@AdvaithaY) May 24, 2026

Worse things than this happen to a woman in Uttar Pradesh that would make this a laughing stock..You can boast about Ramrajya on social media, but you can't change the rotten mentality

- SK (@Aryan097871) May 24, 2026

I was there in this match.. each gallery had 20+ police people.. instead of keeping a watch on the crowd, they were all in front row watching the match... Pathetic professionalism..

- Walter White (@bb_saymyname) May 24, 2026

Yogi ji, look at some nonsense people in the stadium of UP, they are tarnishing the name of our country. Please find them and teach them some common sense you.@myogiadityanath @dgpup @Uppolice

- Gurpreet Singh (@singhgs50023) May 24, 2026

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings turned their focus entirely back to their tournament survival, celebrating a massive victory that kept their campaign breathing. However, the qualification to the playoffs will depend on the Rajasthan Royals and the Kolkata Knight Riders' final fixtures against the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals.

Having completed all 14 of their group stage matches, the Kings have climbed to the fourth spot with 15 points and a healthy Net Run Rate of +0.309. However, their fate is no longer in their own hands.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant on LSG's tough season after loss to PBKS

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