Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer remains determined and promises to learn from the setback after a disappointing performance in Mullanpur.
Mullanpur (Punjab) [India], May 30: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer showed true leadership in the face of adversity after his team’s crushing defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Despite a dismal batting collapse and an eventual 8-wicket loss, Iyer remained resolute, emphasizing the need to learn, adapt, and return stronger for the next challenge.
Punjab Kings’ day began on the wrong foot, losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a pitch that offered inconsistent bounce. Their batting lineup faltered early, failing to adapt to the tricky conditions. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving them with a meager total of 101 runs — one of the lowest in the IPL playoffs history.
RCB’s bowlers capitalized on the fragile batting display, and their chase was clinical, finishing the game with 60 balls to spare — making it one of the quickest finishes in IPL knockout history.
Reflecting on the match, Iyer acknowledged the variable bounce but refused to use it as an excuse for the poor batting performance. “We’ve got to work on our batting, especially on this wicket. In all the games we have played here, there has been some variable bounce,” Iyer said after the match. “We can’t give such reasons because we are professionals at the end of the day. We have to bat according to the situation, and we have to live up to it. We have lost the battle but not the war.”
The 30-year-old captain expressed confidence in his team’s approach and preparation, stressing that while the plans were sound, it was the execution that ultimately let them down. “Not a day to forget, but got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets (in the first innings). There’s a lot to go back and study on,” he explained.
“I am not doubting my decisions, to be honest. Whatever we did in terms of planning, outside of the ground, or whatever (planning) we did, I think it was on point. Just that we couldn’t execute it on the field. Can’t even blame the bowlers, as it was a low total to defend,” he added, defending his team’s effort and reiterating that it was simply not their day with the bat.
Despite the tough loss, Punjab Kings still have another shot at IPL glory. They will head to Ahmedabad for Qualifier 2, where they will face either Mumbai Indians or Gujarat Titans — whoever emerges victorious from the Eliminator.
With the season on the line, Shreyas Iyer’s fighting spirit and refusal to give up will be crucial as PBKS looks to keep their championship hopes alive. The Punjab Kings captain has made it clear that this was merely a setback — and that his team will be back, ready to fight another day.