Shreyas Iyer Calls Out PBKS’ Middle-Order Woes After RCB Rout

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer delivered a candid assessment after his team’s seven-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Mullanpur, pinpointing the inability to capitalize on strong starts and a faltering middle order as the franchise’s biggest problems this IPL season.

“We are not able to capitalise on the starts we are getting. The wicket is getting slower and slower. Even in the middle phase we thought we could take on the bowlers,” Iyer admitted post-match, highlighting how PBKS’ aggressive top order often fizzles out, leaving the middle overs unproductive. He stressed the need for the middle-order batters to “step up” and “take the bull by the horns,” especially as adapting to changing pitch conditions remains a persistent challenge.

Despite promising opening partnerships, PBKS once again struggled to build momentum after the powerplay, with the middle order collapsing under disciplined RCB bowling. Iyer, who himself fell cheaply, called for introspection during the upcoming six-day break, urging the squad to regroup and reassess their approach as the playoff race intensifies.

With the defeat dropping PBKS to fourth on the table, Iyer’s honest admission signals a crucial period of reflection for the team ahead of their next fixture.

Source: Republic World