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"We Could Not Execute..." Shreyas Iyer On PBKS' Embarrassing Loss Vs RCB In Qualifier 1

Akshita Patel

Shreyas Iyer reacts to PBKS' loss to RCB [Source: @Sammyy41/X.com]Shreyas Iyer reacts to PBKS' loss to RCB [Source: @Sammyy41/X.com]

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer was heartbroken and blamed the batters after a shocking 8-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. Iyer stated that his side needs to read the wicket better, and he hopes they improve ahead of Qualifier 2.

RCB outclassed PBKS in all three departments on the eve of Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025 season. After opting to bowl first, Bengaluru’s bowlers came out all guns blazing, as pacers chipped four wickets in the powerplay.

Suyash Sharma did the rest in the middle overs. His 3-wicket-haul neutralised every threat that PBKS threw at RCB’s way, and eventually, Punjab were bowled out for just 101 runs in the first inning.

PBKS Captain Shreyas Iyer Slams Batting Unit For Shambolic Collapse

In the chase, Kyle Jamieson and Arshdeep Singh troubled RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli to an extent with the new ball that was swinging significantly.

However, Salt opened his arms to slam a fiery 27-ball 56-run knock to lead RCB to a dominant 8-wicket win. Bengaluru chased down the total of 102 runs in 10 overs to enter the finals of IPL 2025.

Meanwhile, losing captain Shreyas Iyer was distraught after the tough loss and blamed the batting unit for an unwarranted collapse in the first inning.

"It's not a game to forget but we need to go back to the drawing board and assess everything. We need to start reading the wicket. Lot of wickets we have lost in tandem. We have to study a lot of things once we go back," Iyer said.

He added that bowlers couldn’t make a difference as the total was not good enough to defend.

"I am not doubting on my decisions to be honest. We did whatever we could in terms of planning. We couldn't execute in the 1st innings in terms of scoring runs. I can't blame the bowlers here as it was such a low total to defend. We need to focus on our batting, especially on this wicket," he added.

Regardless, with Qualifier 2 on the horizon, Iyer is hopeful of a stronger comeback.

"Well in all the games we have played here, there has been a little bit of variable bounce. But we can't say that as an excuse. We are professionals at the end of the day. You need to bat according to the situation and live up to it. We have lost the battle but not the war," Iyer concluded.

PBKS will play Qualifier 2 against the winner of the Eliminator contest between MI and GT. The winner of Qualifier 2 will meet RCB at the IPL 2025 finals scheduled on June 3 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.