Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in IPL 2026 after Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated them by three wickets at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Monday, May 11.
The heartbreaking loss dealt a massive blow to PBKS’ playoff hopes as Delhi Capitals successfully chased down a huge 210-run target with one over to spare in a thrilling encounter.
Following the defeat, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer openly admitted that poor fielding and bowling once again cost his side a crucial victory.
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Shreyas Iyer blames bowling and fielding after defeat
Speaking after the match, Iyer made it clear that PBKS had enough runs on the board but failed to deliver in key moments with the ball and on the field.
"I won't beat around the bush; I'll just say fielding and bowling again."
The PBKS captain also felt that the pitch conditions made their total even more competitive.
"Absolutely, I feel that it was 30 runs more on this wicket considering how the ball was seaming and there was variable bounce."
Shreyas Iyer further explained why the team preferred seamers over Yuzvendra Chahal despite the pressure situation.
"There was absolutely a thought in my mind, but the way ball was seaming and the way it was helping seamers, I think if we would have executed our line and length precisely, we could have been able to extract wickets."
The PBKS skipper also admitted that the team lacked proper planning during crucial stages of the contest.
"We've been short of planning," Iyer added.
Delhi Capitals chase down 210 after dramatic batting contest
After winning the toss, DC invited PBKS to bat first, and the hosts responded with an explosive start through openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, who stitched together a 78-run partnership before Prabhsimran fell in the seventh over.
Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a superb 59 off 36 balls, while Priyansh Arya smashed 56 off 33 deliveries. Useful contributions from Cooper Connolly (38 off 27) and Suryansh Shedge (21 off 8) powered PBKS to a commanding 210-run total.
DC, however, endured a shaky start in the chase as KL Rahul and Abishek Porel departed cheaply.
The momentum shifted through a crucial partnership between DC captain Axar Patel and David Miller, who scored 56 and 51 respectively, to revive the chase.
Later, Ashutosh Sharma blasted 24 off just 10 balls before debutant Madhav Tiwari and Auqib Nabi Dar finished the job.
With the win, DC climbed to seventh place with 10 points, while PBKS remained fourth with 13 points despite the defeat.