Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer addressed Lockie Ferguson's injury's impact on the team's performance after losing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Ferguson left the field midway through bowling sixth over, and after speaking to the physios, he eventually made his way off the field. The remainder of the over was bowled by Marcus Stoinis.
Iyer believes that his absence played a huge impact on their performances because he is the one who can get instant wickets while bowling 140 all the time but that's not an excuse for their eight-wicket humiliating defeat against Pat Cummins-led side.
"It was a big impact. He is someone who can get you instant wickets. That was a big blow. He is someone who clicks 140 at all times and niggles happen. Other bowlers are also there to win matches. So no excuses" said Iyer during the post match presentation ceremony.
Iyer also revealed that there was dew, which made the conditions tough for the bowlers, while hailing SRH's knock as the best-ever batting performance he had ever witnessed.
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"When we discussed out there, we thought 230 was a good score. But with the dew coming in, it made the wicket a bit harder. Also credit where due. The way they batted was out of the world. It was one of the best knocks I have seen in the IPL. It was a fantastic total. It has been making me laugh with the way they have chased it with two overs to spare" added Iyer
Iyer also believes that dropping centurian Abhishek Sharma's catch was the game-changing moment. He also reckons that he could rotate bowlers better.
"We could have taken two exceptional catches. He [Abhisek] was a bit lucky as well even though he played an exceptional knock. Catches win you matches and we fell short there. We didn't bowl well but we have to go back to the drawing board. The way he smashed the ball and the opening partnership was great. Over here, the over rotation would have been better from my side" Iyer also said.
After losing against SRH, PBKS are currently on sixth in the points table tally. Iyer-led franchise will now face defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 15 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Punjab.