Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer sounded measured and optimistic after his team suffered back-to-back defeats, stressing that the setback has not changed the bigger picture for the franchise. Speaking following the loss to Gujarat Titans, he argued that 163 was a challenging yet realistic score, particularly considering how the pitch behaved.
Iyer said the surface offered help to the bowlers early on, and he felt Gujarat were simply sharper in making use of those conditions. “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 remarked, pointing to the impact of early movement and uneven bounce on batting.
He also acknowledged that Punjab Kings had a difficult start, losing four wickets during the powerplay. However, the captain credited a recovery anchored by Suryansh Shedge, which allowed the side to build a total they could defend for stretches of the chase. “To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort,” Iyer said, while adding that once the game progressed, his bowlers were unable to produce the same level of control with the new ball.
For Iyer, the deciding factor came down to execution—especially on a wicket where timing and shot selection were under pressure. He felt it was not easy to find clean contact consistently, and that the team fell short in key moments. “Hitting over midwicket or playing the pull wasn’t easy… in terms of execution we fell a bit short,” he explained.
Even after the defeat, the PBKS captain was keen to highlight the positives, particularly the mindset shown by the group. “The way we fought till the end, kudos to the efforts. The attitude and approach was excellent,” he said, underscoring that the team’s response matters as much as the result.
Importantly, Iyer reminded supporters that Punjab Kings remain in control of their season trajectory despite the recent wobble. “We’re still on top of the table which is what matters. We’ll take positives from this game,” he added, indicating that staying grounded will be crucial as the competition tightens.
Looking ahead, he expressed confidence about turning things around in the next match. Iyer stressed the role of preparation and maintaining the right mental approach, noting that the team has been working hard behind the scenes. “If the character is high and attitude is right, you’ll get results eventually… just got to stick to our basics and not think too much ahead,” he said.
With the playoff race becoming more intense, Punjab Kings may have stumbled briefly, but Iyer’s message was clear: remain composed, trust the process, and the outcomes will come with consistent fundamentals and the right attitude.
