IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer blames bowlers after Punjab Kings lose first game to Rajasthan Royals

Punjab Kings slipped to their first defeat of the season as Rajasthan Royals chased down 223 in Mullanpur. Shreyas Iyer said the target was strong on a tacky pitch, but his side failed to execute their bowling plans.

In Short

• Marcus Stoinis' late surge lifted Punjab Kings to 223 on tacky pitch
• Iyer said the bowling plans of slower balls and yorkers were missed
• Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey finished strongly to swing the chase

Punjab Kings were handed their first loss of the ongoing Indian Premier League season as Rajasthan Royals outmuscled them in Mullanpur on Tuesday, April 28. Captain Shreyas Iyer was quick to point out his side’s inefficient bowling during the chase, especially given the nature of the pitch.

After a late blitz from Marcus Stoinis lifted PBKS to a competitive 222, Iyer described the surface as tacky and slow. However, PBKS bowlers failed to capitalise on the conditions, allowing RR to take control of the chase.

PBKS vs RR: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD

“I think 222 was a very good score. It was an exceptional performance, especially on this wicket, which was a bit tacky and slow,” said Iyer after the match. “We fell short in our execution with the ball.”

Iyer acknowledged the match-defining partnership between RR’s Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey, revealing that the plan was to rely more on slower deliveries and yorkers, but the execution did not meet expectations. RR won the game by six wickets and four ball to spare.

“We had planned to go slow and bowl yorkers. I think we fell short there,” he said. “Also, they played really well. Dubey and Ferreira built that partnership. This is the format where a lot of players have changed their game. Many now come out and attack from ball one. It’s a big task for bowlers to come up with plans, but at the end of the day, it’s about execution. Today was just not our day.”

DID PBKS LET IT SLIP?

PBKS looked in commanding position during the middle over phase after their standout performers with the ball, the off-spin duo of Harpreet Brar and veteran Yuzvendra Chahal attempted to apply pressure on the RR batters. Chahal, in particular, briefly swung the momentum in PBKS’ favour by dismantling the middle order, finishing with figures of 3/36 in his four overs. Brar, playing his first game of the season, remained economical but went wicketless while supporting Chahal from the other end.

This defeat marks PBKS’ first loss of the season after a seven-match unbeaten run, which also included a no-result against Kolkata Knight Riders.

"This is our first loss of the season, and it definitely teaches you a lot,” Iyer added. “It was one of those games where things didn’t go our way. In retrospect, we could have done things differently, but we have to stay positive moving forward.”

PBKS will next travel to the Narendra Modi Stadium to face Gujarat Titans on May 3, while RR return home to host Delhi Capitals in Jaipur on May 1.

- Ends