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Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffers sixth straight defeat in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), making their position more insecure in the top four. After the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the PBKS skipper claimed that they lost the match because of their poor display in the powerplay while they went to chase a target of 223 runs in 20 overs.
The middle-order of the Punjab Kings fought back well against the star-studded RCB bowling line-up, but the difference was made in the first few overs of the match. While RCB batters utilized most from the powerplays, PBKS suffered back-to-back blows.
PBKS faced repeated blows inside the powerplay vs RCB
Inside the powerplay, PBKS, at their home ground, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, lose the openers- Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, and their skipper, Shreyas Iyer’s wicket. For only 19 runs inside the 4th over of the second innings, Punjab lost three top-order batters, which instantly allowed RCB to take the lead in the contest.
Shreyas Iyer explains where they lacked the most
“See, obviously, they got off to a great start and then took on the bowlers right after the power play. I think getting to 222, it was a commendable performance, and we weren’t able to take wickets in the bowling that much. But yeah, I think the match was lost in the powerplay,” Iyer told broadcasters after the match.
“We were three down (in power play), and the majority of our run scorers were Prab and Priyansh. The start they used to give us in the power play, obviously, we couldn’t get this time, and also me coming in and getting out early. Really disappointed, but you know, commendable performance by Shashank and Stoinis, and also a few others in the middle. I think we were up there with almost 10 in an over, but fell short, tremendous bowling by Hazlewood,” he added.
The middle-order of Punjab fought well vs RCB bowlers
Batting first, RCB scored 222 runs. Rajat Patidar missed the match; Jitesh Sharma was assigned as the stand-in captain. Under the leadership of Jitesh, the batting unit of RCB showcased a team effort, led by Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 73 off 40. Virat Kohli registered a half-century in the process.
In the second innings, Cooper Connolly, Suryansh Shedge, Marcus Stoinis, and Shashank Singh, who registered a half-century, kept PBKS in the contest. The efforts went in vain as RCB won the match by 23 runs. In response to RCB’s 222, Punjab Kings scored 199 runs in 20 overs for 8 wickets.
“I’m always positive irrespective of the results. It doesn’t dictate how my personality is, and I always approach with a strong attitude, and I’m not someone who dwells too much in the past. This is over, this is gone. Tomorrow again, I’m going to see the sunrise, and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel,” he concluded.
Read More: “Exposed”: Fans troll Shreyas Iyer as PBKS captain departs for another low score against RCB
