Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting was in complete dejection after his team lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Dharamshala on Sunday, May 17, which stretched their losing streak in IPL 2026 to six matches, their second-longest in the league’s history as well. PBKS failed to chase down the 223-run target set by the Jitesh Sharma-led RCB, as their qualification chances for the playoffs now hang by a thread.
Apart from Ponting, the franchise co-owner Preity Zinta was also spotted having a prolonged discussion with skipper Shreyas Iyer at the HPCA Stadium after the match concluded, much against their liking. While it is okay to lose a game or two, Punjab have lost six consecutive games, despite a dominating start where they seemed to have nearly confirmed their qualification at one point with a lossless seven-match run in the first half of the season.
Iyer was naturally disappointed after the match. He reflected on the shambolic loss, stating that his bowlers were not able to contain the flow of runs even as the powerplay ended, while also highlighting how his unit also lost three in the powerplay during the big run chase.
“Obviously they got off to a great start with them taking on the bowlers right after the powerplay. Getting to 222 is a commendable performance. I think the match was lost in the powerplay. We were three down in the powerplay, and a majority of our run scorers were out early. Really disappointed but commendable performances with Shashank and Stoinis and a few others,” Iyer said after the match.
Despite the loss, Iyer wants the team to carry itself forward with a strong attitude and a positive mindset. He wants the dressing room to leave the demons of the past behind and move ahead in the tournament with a fresh approach to the game.Â
“We were up there with the 10-runs-an-over mark, but amazing bowling by Hazlewood and Bhuvi. I am always positive irrespective of the results. I always approach with a strong attitude, and I am not someone who doesn’t dwell too much on the past. This is over; this is the past, and I always look towards the light at the end of the tunnel,” Iyer added.
Have RCB officially qualified for IPL 2026 playoffs?
Notably, the next game for PBKS is slated to be a do-or-die match, as a loss in this would eliminate them from the race for the playoffs. In fact, even a win cannot guarantee them a spot in the top four, as a lot of external factors will have to fall in their favour, which will require a lot of luck apart from putting in a strong effort. PBKS will play their last league-stage tie against Lucknow Super Giants on May 23 in Lucknow.Â
