Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer (ANI Photo) Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer remained calm and collected after his side slipped to back-to-back defeats, insisting the team is still in a strong position despite the setback.Speaking after the loss to Gujarat Titans, Iyer felt 163 was a competitive total given the nature of the pitch. He pointed out that the surface helped the bowlers early and praised the opposition for making better use of it. “Personally I feel it was a great score on the wicket where the ball was doing a little bit early on… their bowlers made the most of the surface,” he said.PBKS were rocked early on, losing four wickets during the power play, but a Suryansh Shedge-led recovery helped them mount an overall fightback. Iyer acknowledged the effort. “To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort,” he noted, while admitting that his bowlers could not replicate the same control with the new ball.He highlighted execution as a key differentiator, especially on a pitch with variable bounce where it was not easy to create a strike. “It wasn’t easy to hit over mid-wicket or play the pull…we were a bit behind in terms of execution,” explained Iyer.Despite the loss, the PBKS captain was quick to highlight the positives, especially the team’s attitude and resilience. “The way we fought until the end, credit for the effort. The attitude and approach was excellent,” he said.Importantly, Iyer reminded that Punjab Kings are still sitting at the top of the table. “We are still top of the table, which is what matters. We will take the positives from this game,” he added, stressing the importance of staying grounded.Looking ahead, Iyer sounded optimistic about a comeback in the next game. He emphasized the importance of preparation and mindset and said the team is working behind the scenes. “If the character is high and the attitude is right, you will eventually get results…just stick to our basics and not think too far ahead.”With the playoff race tightening, PBKS may have stumbled briefly, but the message from their captain is clear – stay composed, trust the process and the results will come.
