Punjab Kings head coach ricky ponting He was completely disappointed after his team's defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dharamsala on Sunday, May 17, extending their losing streak in IPL 2026 to six matches, their second longest in the history of the league. PBKS failed to chase the target of 223 runs set by Jitesh Sharma-led RCB, as their chances of qualifying for the playoffs are now in jeopardy.
Apart from Ponting, franchise co-owner Preity Zinta was also seen having a long discussion with the captain. Shreyas Iyer at the HPCA Stadium after the match ended, contrary to their choice. While it's okay to lose a game or two, Punjab have lost six games in a row, despite a dominant start where it looked like they had almost sealed qualification at one point with a seven-match losing streak in the first half of the season.
Iyer was naturally disappointed after the match. He reflected on the embarrassing defeat, saying that his bowlers were not able to stop the flow of runs even after the powerplay ended, while also highlighting how his unit lost three wickets in the powerplay during a big run chase.
“Obviously they got off to a great start, attacking 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 runs behind in the powerplay and most of our run scorers got out early. Really disappointing but commendable performance shashank And Stoinis and a few others,” Iyer said after the match.
Despite the defeat, Iyer wants the team to move forward with a strong attitude and positive mindset. He wants the dressing room to leave behind the evils of the past and move into the tournament with a new approach towards the game.
Iyer said, “We were there at 10 runs an over, but Hazlewood and Bhuvi bowled amazing. I always remain positive regardless of the results. I always go in with a strong attitude, and I'm not a person who doesn't pay much attention to the past. It's over; it's the past, and I always look towards the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Notably, the next game is going to be a do-or-die match for PBKS as a loss in this one will knock them out of the playoff race. In fact, even a win may not guarantee them a place in the top four, as a number of external factors will have to come in their favour, which will require a strong effort as well as a lot of luck. Against whom will PBKS play its last league stage match? Lucknow Super Giants on 23rd May in Lucknow.
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