Shreyas Iyer Stands Firm: ‘We Lost the Battle, Not the War’ After PBKS’ Humiliating Defeat to RCB in Qualifier 1

In a night that Punjab Kings (PBKS) will want to erase from memory, they suffered a staggering 101-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1 at Mullanpur. Bowled out for a mere 105 runs in just 14.1 overs, PBKS recorded their lowest total in IPL playoff history, a grim statistic that also marks the shortest innings in the tournament’s knockout stage, surpassing Delhi Capitals’ 16.1-over collapse in 2008.

Despite the crushing loss, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer cut a composed figure in the post-match press conference, emphasizing resilience over despair. ‘We lost the battle, not the war,’ Iyer declared, urging his team to reflect, regroup, and prepare for their next challenge. ‘It’s not a day to forget, but we must go back to the drawing board. Losing wickets early cost us dearly. There’s a lot to analyze and improve,’ he added with a steely determination.

Iyer did not shy away from taking responsibility for the debacle but stood firmly by his tactical choices. ‘I’m not doubting my decisions. Our planning off the field was spot-on; we just couldn’t execute on the day,’ he admitted. Highlighting the dire situation faced by his bowlers, Iyer noted, ‘I can’t even blame them—it was too little to defend.’ This defeat marks PBKS’s fourth instance of being bowled out under 111 runs in IPL history, with three of those collapses coming against RCB, a team that seems to have their number.

RCB’s bowling attack was nothing short of ruthless. Josh Hazlewood led the charge with a fiery 3/21, while Suyash Sharma (3/17) and Yash Dayal (2/26) dismantled the PBKS batting lineup. Reduced to a precarious 48/4 in the powerplay, PBKS never recovered, losing their last wicket in the 15th over in a display of utter dominance by the RCB bowlers. Hazlewood’s precision and Sharma’s guile ensured there was no reprieve for the struggling Punjab batsmen.

In reply, RCB chased down the modest target of 106 with effortless ease, reaching 106/2 in just 10 overs. Opener Phil Salt played a match-defining knock of 56 not out off 27 balls, peppering the boundary with aggressive strokeplay to secure RCB’s place in the IPL 2025 final. His explosive innings, studded with 6 fours and 3 sixes, underscored RCB’s superior intent and execution on the night.

For PBKS, this defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, but Iyer remains hopeful. With a chance to bounce back in the coming matches, the team must address their vulnerabilities—particularly their batting frailty in crunch situations. As the IPL 2025 playoffs progress, all eyes will be on whether Punjab Kings can turn their fortunes around and prove that this was indeed just a battle lost, not the war.