Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer highlighted the positives from his team's reply of around 160 runs despite losing half their side early in their defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 4, 2026. Iyer praised his players' attitude and approach amid challenging conditions exploited effectively by the GT bowlers.
After being troubled by their bowling performance against Rajasthan Royals in the previous match, PBKS struggled with the bat, losing five wickets for just 47 runs. A 79-run partnership between Marcus Stoinis, who scored 40 from 31 balls with five fours and a six, and half-centurion Suryansh Shedge, who made 57 from 29 balls with three fours and five sixes, provided some resistance. GT bowler Holder troubled the PBKS batting line-up, taking four wickets for 24 runs.
PBKS bowlers competed well, but a half-century from Sai Sudharsan (57 from 41 balls, five fours and one six) and a composed innings from Washington Sundar (40 not out from 23 balls, five fours and one six) led GT to victory with one ball remaining.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer said, “I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing a bit at the start, especially the new ball. Their bowlers made the best use of the surface – the way they were hitting the lengths and the deck. It was right at the stumps and not giving us much options to open our arms and score runs. We lost four wickets, I assume in the powerplay. To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort.”
He added that although he had hoped their new ball bowlers would take early wickets by nailing their line and length, this did not materialise. Nevertheless, he was satisfied his team pushed the game to the last ball. “The attitude and approach was excellent. We missed out on hitting the hard lengths. Hitting over midwicket or a pull shot was not easy on this wicket because there was variable bounce. Was not an apt wicket to bat on. In terms of execution, we fell a bit short. We’re still on top of the table which is what matters. We will take positives from this game,” Iyer said.
He described playing on such pitches as a great challenge that “brings up the attitude of the bowlers”. “It can level up their confidence, especially after being hit for 50-60 odd runs in the previous game and then coming here and bowling excellent overs. We wanted to win but it did not click,” he concluded.
With this win, Gujarat Titans moved to sixth place on the points table with six wins and four losses, totalling 12 points. Punjab Kings remain at the top, having won six matches, lost two, and had one no result, accumulating 13 points.