'We lost the battle, not the war': Shreyas Iyer after humiliating loss to RCB in Qualifier 1

In the aftermath of Punjab Kings ’ crushing 101-run all-out against Royal Challengers Bengaluru , their lowest total in IPL playoffs history as skipper Shreyas Iyer remained composed, urging his side to reflect and regroup ahead of the next challenge.

Speaking after the defeat at Mullanpur, where PBKS were skittled in just 14.1 overs, Iyer accepted responsibility but defended the team’s pre-match preparation. “Not a day to forget, but we’ve got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets early. There’s a lot to go back and study,” he said.

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PBKS’ innings is now the shortest in IPL playoff history, eclipsing Delhi Capitals’ 16.1-over effort in 2008. It also marked PBKS’s fourth all-out below 111 runs, and and third against RCB.

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Despite the setback, Iyer stood by his strategic decisions. “I’m not doubting my decisions. Whatever we planned off the field was on point. We just couldn’t execute,” he explained. “Can’t even blame the bowlers — it was too little to defend.”


RCB’s bowlers were relentless from ball one. Josh Hazlewood (3/21), Suyash Sharma (3/17), and Yash Dayal (2/26) ripped through the PBKS line-up, reducing them to 48/4 in the powerplay and sealing the collapse by the 15th over.

In reply, RCB chased the target with ease, cruising to 106/2 in 10 overs thanks to Phil Salt’s unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, to book their spot in the IPL 2025 final .