“I’m not going to beat around the bush, I’m just going to say fielding and bowling again.
Shreyas Iyer’s brutally honest assessment afterwards Punjab Kings lost by three wickets to Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala there was no response from the captain seeking diplomatic answers. It was the captain’s response as he watched a familiar problem derail his side once again.
Punjab Kings posted 210 for 5 on a surface where Iyer believed they were at least “30 runs over par” given the assistance offered to the fast bowlers through seam movement and variable bounce. Still, Delhi Capitals chased down the target in just 19 overs, handing PBKS their fourth straight defeat and raising concerns about a bowling attack that has repeatedly failed to close out matches.
It wasn’t just about one bad evening for Iyer.
The PBKS pattern can no longer be ignored
Since his move to Punjab Kings last season, PBKS have become one of the most vulnerable bowling units in the IPL when it comes to defending big totals. They have conceded more than 200 totals ten times, the second most of any team in that period. Even more alarmingly, they have lost four of those games, pointing to a recurring inability to control high-pressure moments.
This season alone, the issue has become impossible to ignore. Punjab have conceded 200 or more in seven of their 10 matches, a staggering figure for a team still struggling to stay afloat in the playoffs. They have conceded the most 200+ totals since Shreyas Iyer was appointed captain of PBKS. (Image: PTI)
The frustration becomes easier to understand when you look past the finer details of Monday’s defeat.
PBKS got Delhi reeling early, picked up wickets and seemed to be in command. But once Axar Patel and David Miller settled in, the plans fell apart. Punjab conceded bonuses, threw away key chances, missed their lengths and failed to build pressure for a score despite the conditions favoring the bowling.
Execution, not intent, remains the problem
Iyer even admitted that it was thought of brings Yuzvendra Chahal, but the team withdrew due to pitch conditions.
“There was absolutely an idea, but unfortunately we didn’t execute again.” Yuzvendra Chahal did not lose a single against Delhi Capitals. (Image: PTI)
That last word, execute, perhaps best describes Punjab’s problem. This is not a team that lacks batting firepower. Scoring over 200 points has become routine. The question is what happens next.
With Mumbai Indians next and the playoff race tightening, PBKS cannot afford to keep repeating the same scenario. For all the optimism about staying in the hunt, Iyer’s increasingly blunt tone suggests that patience is running out.
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– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
May 12, 2026 12:16 PM IST
