Former India batter Sunil Gavaskar has pinpointed the reasons behind Punjab Kings’ troubling collapse against Mumbai Indians at Dharamsala, calling it a sign of their worrying dip in momentum at a decisive point in the IPL season. Punjab, who had looked like they were steering their playoff push confidently after dominating the opening stretch, have since lost their rhythm and now sit on the back foot after a fifth consecutive defeat. The most recent setback versus MI was especially hurtful because Punjab had a realistic chance to bank two crucial points, only for the finish to slip away. Gavaskar said the bowling unit failed to stay composed in the final overs, allowing Mumbai to keep scoring freely when Punjab needed control most, leaving the side looking like a shadow of the team that set the early tone and faces an uphill battle to remain in the playoff picture.
Punjab Kings’ late-match slide and the playoff pressure
Gavaskar’s reading of the defeat was that Punjab squandered a match they were positioned to win, even after showing a strong batting effort late in the innings. He stressed that the turning point came in the bowling phase at the death, where the side’s inability to hold its nerve proved costly.
- Punjab are now reeling after a fifth straight loss, leaving their playoff hopes under increased strain.
- The defeat to Mumbai Indians was viewed as particularly damaging because Punjab had the opportunity to secure two vital points.
- Gavaskar said Punjab’s bowlers could not protect the match in the final overs, letting MI score freely at the stage where control mattered most.
- The overall performance, in his view, reflects a broader loss of momentum compared to the team’s earlier-season form.
Gavaskar’s key concern: Shreyas Iyer’s impact and batting depth
In breaking down what went wrong, Gavaskar also pointed to a specific batting setback—Shreyas Iyer’s failure. He suggested that when Iyer contributes runs, Punjab typically gain additional scoring momentum, which can swing the margin in close games.
Gavaskar highlighted that Punjab should have crossed the 200-run mark more comfortably and that the game’s balance could have shifted if their usual scoring platform had been built through Iyer’s innings.
- Gavaskar said Punjab were in a position to win after scoring 53 runs in the last three overs to get past the 200-run mark.
- He argued that at that moment Punjab had momentum and looked to be in charge of proceedings.
- He added that Shreyas Iyer’s failure was a major blow, because his runs often provide Punjab with extra depth of 20–30 runs.
- He felt those additional runs could have made the difference in the final outcome.
Bowling decisions, pitch conditions, and Omarzai’s all-round showing
Gavaskar went further into the bowling unit’s execution and selection, saying the expense from one of the bowlers stood out and that a tactical decision may have been overlooked given the conditions.
He also credited Azmatullah Omarzai for an impressive two-way display, implying Punjab should consider continuing to back him given his impact with both bat and ball. He further suggested adding Marcus Stoinis to strengthen Punjab’s batting depth.
- Gavaskar said Punjab’s bowling remains a concern even after a strong late batting finish.
- He noted that Bartlett was expensive and expressed surprise that the bowler was not given the new ball on what he described as a helpful pitch.
- Azmatullah Omarzai was singled out as outstanding, with contributions in both departments.
- Gavaskar suggested Punjab should keep backing Omarzai while also weighing Marcus Stoinis for extra batting depth.
CSK’s resilience and the upcoming challenge vs Lucknow
After discussing Punjab’s problems, Gavaskar turned to another franchise’s temperament, praising Chennai Super Kings for their ability to win tight contests. He said their recent results have been built on resilience rather than comfort—emphasising how they respond when matches become difficult and pressure rises.
He believes that fighting quality will be crucial when CSK face Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow, pointing to CSK’s repeated ability to stay engaged under stress and still find a way to come out on top.
- Gavaskar said CSK have consistently found ways to come back in matches during their recent wins.
- He stressed that CSK’s victories have not been smooth, with the team often operating under pressure.
- He highlighted the determination to remain in the contest, survive tough phases, and still finish ahead.
- He expects this quality to serve CSK well against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow.
