Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has laid out a clear mindset for the franchise’s IPL campaign—aiming for the ultimate prize in 2026, while insisting that day-to-day focus is what keeps a side in command. In the ongoing season, PBKS—under Iyer’s leadership and Ricky Ponting’s coaching—are the only unbeaten team so far, having won four of their five outings and had one match abandoned due to rain.
Key takeaways
- Shreyas Iyer said PBKS’s mission is to win the IPL 2026 trophy, but the team’s approach is built on staying fully focused on the present.
- PBKS have started the season with five games: four wins and one no-result washed out by rain.
- Iyer stressed that players should not be distracted by past failures or future scenarios while executing plans in the moment.
- In their most recent match, Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets after chasing down 196.
- Quinton de Kock’s 112 not out and a strong partnership with Naman Dhir helped MI post 195/6, but PBKS’s chase was led by Prabhsimran Singh (80* off 39) and Iyer (66 off 35).
Iyer’s present-tense philosophy for PBKS
Speaking on JioStar, Iyer made it clear that lifting the trophy remains the end goal. However, he argued that control during a match comes from concentrating on the next ball rather than worrying about what comes later or replaying earlier moments.
He emphasised playing with full intensity in the present and repeatedly told his teammates to avoid being pulled into thoughts about the past or the future. Iyer also highlighted the importance of self-improvement—framing PBKS’s mindset as one focused on their own execution rather than viewing matches purely as battles against the opposition.
“The mission, obviously, is to lift the trophy. But I always feel that the more you stay in the present, the more you stay in control of what is in your hands at that moment and you just have to go full throttle. You don’t have to think too far ahead or dwell on the past. I reiterate the same point to my teammates as well, that when we are out there, we are playing for ourselves, not against the opponents. We just want to improve each day and make sure we put our best foot forward. When everything comes together and that synergy builds, everything falls into place,” Iyer said.
PBKS’s unbeaten run and the latest win over Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings’ unbeaten start has been built on consistent results, and their most recent outing produced another convincing statement. In their last match, PBKS delivered a complete performance against Mumbai Indians, winning by seven wickets.
Batting first, MI posted 195/6. Quinton de Kock provided the backbone of the innings with a match-defining 112 not out off 60 balls. Naman Dhir also played a significant role, striking quickly to reach 50, and the two combined for a 122-run partnership that set up a challenging total.
PBKS struck back with disciplined bowling. Arshdeep Singh starred with the ball, finishing with Player of the Match figures of 3/22 from four overs, helping restrict MI’s momentum after the big partnership.
Chasing 196, Punjab Kings reached the target in 16.3 overs, finishing on 198/3. Prabhsimran Singh top-scored with an unbeaten 80 off 39 deliveries, while captain Shreyas Iyer made a strong contribution of 66 off 35 balls.
The chase gained traction after early setbacks when the pair stitched together a key stand that shifted the game firmly in PBKS’s favour. For MI, Allah Ghazanfar claimed 2/32, but overall the bowlers struggled to contain Punjab’s batters as the chase opened up.
Looking back: PBKS’s last final appearance
Despite the current momentum, Punjab Kings have been reminded of the margins that define major tournaments. In IPL 2025, PBKS failed to clear the final hurdle, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the summit clash at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
