Shoddy PBKS lose 5 in a row. Can Shreyas Iyer's men qualify for the play-offs?

Punjab Kings have all sorts of problems in IPL 2026. They have started their campaign in stunning fashion, going unbeaten in their first seven matches and sitting comfortably at the top of the points table. However, their season has taken a dramatic turn and they are now in serious danger of losing their place in the top four.

Shreyas Iyer’s men have completely lost momentum at a crucial stage of the tournament and now face a real possibility of crashing out of the competition. On Thursday, May 14, PBKS suffered a heartbreaking six-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

IPL 2026, PBKS vs MI | Highlights | Scorecard

After being asked to bat first, Punjab managed to post a competitive total of 200 for eight. Prabhsimran Singh again provided a solid foundation with a smooth 57-run knock at the top, but PBKS struggled to maintain the same momentum in the middle overs, where Shardul Thakur turned the game around with a brilliant four-wicket haul.

Azmatullah Omarzai, playing his first match of the season, injected much-needed energy into the innings with a quick-fire 38, ensuring Punjab touched the 200-run mark and finishing with a total that looked highly competitive on the Dharamsala surface.

For much of the chase, the Punjab bowlers kept Mumbai under pressure and firmly at bay. At one stage, MI still required 51 runs from the last three overs, leaving PBKS in a commanding position. However, Tilak Varma produced a sensational unbeaten 75 to take Mumbai over the line with just one ball to spare.

PBKS have enjoyed plenty of breathing space after their dream start, but the situation is now extremely tense heading into their last two league games. They will have a lot to play for when they take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 17, with all four playoff spots still very much up for grabs.

Here’s how the script looks like for the Punjab Kings

1:2 win scenario

If Punjab Kings win both their remaining matches, they will move to 17 points and secure playoff qualification.

Scenario 2: 1 win, 1 loss

If Punjab Kings win one match and lose the other, they will finish on 15 points, meaning qualification will no longer be in their hands. They would then have to rely on different results and clean run rate to secure a place in the playoffs.

Scenario 3: 2 defeats

If Punjab Kings lose both their remaining matches, they will end up 13 points short of the playoffs. No team with 13 or fewer points has yet managed to finish in the top four in a 10-team IPL season.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

14 May 2026 23:58 IST