Punjab Kings’ Marco Johnson and captain Shreyas Iyer react after the match. (ANI Photo)
New Delhi: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer They did not hide their disappointment after their fifth straight defeat in IPL 2026, calling it the latest loss. Mumbai Indians “A tough pill to swallow”.Already out, MI chased down 201 for six in Dharamsala on Thursday, leaving PBKS stranded on 13 points from 12 matches and under heavy pressure in the play-off race.“Well, absolutely a tough pill to swallow, but I don’t want to point out any circumstances here because it was a very good game of cricket, a well-fought game,” Shreyas said after the match.Tilak turns the game around.Punjab looked in control after scoring 200 runs for 8 wickets, but Tilak VermaHe took the game by scoring 75 runs off 33 balls.Shreyas acknowledged the left-hander’s role in the chase and praised the way he controlled the innings under pressure.“He played great. He was selecting his shots very well, and he ran the court well, so credit to him,” he said.Tilak opened the chase after a blistering start from Ryan Rickleton, who scored 48 in 23 overs. Later, Will Jacks’ 25 off 10 helped Mumbai complete the chase with a ball to spare.Omarzai’s late burst gave PBKS hopePunjab were heading for a very low total after falling from a strong position. Prabhasmaran Singh top-scored with 57, but Shardul Thakur’s four-wicket haul left him reeling from the middle-order collapse.Shreyas shed light. Azmatullah OmarzaiHis late cameo is the turning point in his innings.“At one point, we were looking at around 170 to 180, and from there it changed pace. Getting those scoops for sixes in the 16th or 17th over, we picked up the pace. To get to 200 was a commendable performance from them,” he said.PBKS must win now.Punjab now face two must-win matches, starting with an afternoon clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore.“Definitely excited for the next opportunity. It’s an afternoon game, and we have to win two out of two. It’s going to be exciting. Can’t wait to play them,” Shreyas said.After topping the table earlier this season, PBKS now find themselves one defeat away from a dramatic collapse.
