![\"\u2018A](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131101549,imgsize-148902,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/punjab-kings.jpg\" "\\"<p>Punjab")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPunjab Kings’ Marco Jansen and skipper Shreyas Iyer reacts after the match. (ANI Photo)<\/p>\n
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NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer<\/a> did not hide his disappointment after they slumped to a fifth successive defeat in IPL 2026, calling the latest loss to Mumbai Indians<\/a> \u201ca tough pill to swallow\u201d.Already eliminated, MI chased down 201 with six wickets in hand in Dharamsala on Thursday, leaving PBKS stuck on 13 points from 12 matches and under serious pressure in the playoff race.\u201cWell, absolutely a tough pill to swallow, but I don\u2019t want to pinpoint any situation over here because it was a great game of cricket. Well fought game,\u201d Shreyas said after the match.Tilak turns the game away<\/span>Punjab looked in control after posting 200 for 8, but Tilak Varma<\/a>\u2019s stunning unbeaten 75 off 33 balls took the game away.Shreyas acknowledged the left-hander\u2019s role in the chase, praising the way he controlled the innings under pressure.\u201cHe played amazing. He was selecting his shots pretty well, and he maneuvered the field nicely, so credit to him,\u201d he said.Tilak anchored the chase after a rapid start from Ryan Rickelton, who smashed 48 off 23. Later, Will Jacks\u2019s 25 off 10 helped Mumbai finish the chase with one ball to spare.Omarzai\u2019s late burst gave PBKS hope<\/span>Punjab had appeared headed for a much lower total after collapsing from a strong position. Prabhsimran Singh top-scored with 57, but a middle-order collapse triggered by Shardul Thakur\u2019s four wickets left them wobbling.Shreyas highlighted Azmatullah Omarzai\u2019s late cameo as the turning point in their innings.\u201cAt one point, we were looking at around 170 to 180, and from there he simply changed the momentum. Getting those scoops for sixes, from the 16th or 17th over, we gained momentum. Getting to 200 was a commendable performance from him,\u201d he said.Must-win now for PBKS<\/span>Punjab now face two must-win games, starting with an afternoon clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.\u201cDefinitely excited for the next opportunity. It\u2019s an afternoon game, and we\u2019ve got to win two out of two. It\u2019s going to be exciting. Can\u2019t wait to play them,\u201d Shreyas said.After leading the table earlier this season, PBKS now find themselves one defeat away from a dramatic collapse.<\/div>\n