Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings by 23 runs and confirmed their place in the playoffs. However, after this defeat, it has now become very difficult for Punjab Kings to reach the playoffs. In this match played in Dharamshala, RCB had scored 222 runs after playing first. In reply, Punjab team could score only 199 runs. After the match, captain Shreyas Iyer told the biggest reason for the defeat. Besides, Iyer also gave a big statement about reaching the playoffs.

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that his team had lost the match in the powerplay itself after initial setbacks while chasing the difficult target of 223 runs. Let us tell you that in this match Punjab had lost three wickets for just 19 runs. In the match, Punjab Kings had to face defeat by 23 runs, which was the sixth defeat of the team this season. Now Punjab Kings have 13 points in 13 matches.

After the match, Shreyas Iyer said, “Obviously they got off to a great start and then targeted the bowlers right after the powerplay. I think reaching 222 was a commendable performance and we were not able to take too many wickets in the bowling, but I think we lost the match in the powerplay itself. We had three players out and most of the runs for us were scored by Prabhasimran and Priyansh. They could not give us the kind of start they would have given us in the powerplay.” I was also out early, but Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis and some other players in between were good.”

Despite this defeat, Shreyas Iyer is confident of reaching the playoffs. He is hopeful of qualifying. Regarding the last league match, he said, “No matter what the results are, I always remain positive. It doesn’t affect my personality and I always move forward with determination. I don’t get too entangled in the past. All this has passed, it is all gone. Tomorrow I will see the sunrise again and after every difficulty there is a ray of hope.”

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