IPL 2026: 'We’re still on top of the table'- Shreyas Iyer defiant after PBKS back-to-back defeats
Despite consecutive defeats, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer remains optimistic, highlighting the team's fighting spirit and resilience. He acknowledged execution as a key factor in their loss to Gujarat Titans but emphasized that the team is still in a strong position at the top of the table and will focus on basics to bounce back.
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer remained calm and reflective after his side slipped to consecutive defeats, insisting that the team is still in a strong position despite the setback. Speaking after the loss to Gujarat Titans, Iyer felt that 163 was a competitive total given the nature of the pitch. He pointed out that the surface had assistance for bowlers early on and credited the opposition for exploiting it better.
“I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing a bit at the start… their bowlers made the best use of the surface,” he said. PBKS were rocked early, losing four wickets inside the powerplay, but a recovery led by Suryansh Shedge helped them post a fighting total. Iyer acknowledged that effort.
“To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort,” he noted, while also admitting that his bowlers could not replicate the same control with the new ball. He highlighted execution as the key difference, especially on a pitch with variable bounce where stroke-making was not easy. “Hitting over midwicket or playing the pull wasn’t easy… in terms of execution we fell a bit short,” Iyer explained.
Despite the loss, the PBKS skipper was quick to emphasise the positives, particularly the team’s attitude and resilience. “The way we fought till the end, kudos to the efforts. The attitude and approach was excellent,” he said.