Shreyas Iyer Looks To Take Learnings From Defeat As RR Shatter PBKS Invincibility

Rajasthan Royals inflicted Punjab Kings’ first defeat of the season at the PCA Stadium in Mullanpur on Tuesday, chasing down 223 with 6 wickets in hand in their IPL 2026 clash. PBKS had earlier piled up 222/4, built on half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh and Marcus Stoinis, but fifties from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Donovan Ferreira powered RR to a comfortable win.

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer sought to pick up lessons from their first defeat of the season and opined that the modern game comes down to nothing but execution.

“It was an exceptional performance on a tacky surface. It was difficult to score off the spinners and we fell short with our bowling,” he said.

“Today wasn’t our day, but it’s important that we stick to the things we’ve been doing.”

PBKS look a bit light in their bowling, but Shreyas opined that the it is important to stick to what the side has been doing to go on their incredible run this season.

“This is a format where a lot of players have changed the game and it’s all about execution,” Iyer added.

“The body was also a bit fatigued, but that can’t be the reason. This is our first loss of the season, definitely teaches us a lot.”

Put in to bat, Punjab got a brisk start through opener Prabhsimran Singh, who made 59, while Stoinis provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 62 off just 22 balls. For Rajasthan, Yash Punja was the most successful bowler with two wickets.

RR skipper Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to field, as Prabhsimran and Arya launched into the bowling, racing PBKS to 37 before Archer dismissed Arya. Cooper Connolly then joined Prabhsimran and smashed 30 off only 14 deliveries before Punja claimed his first wicket.

Captain Shreyas steadied the innings alongside Prabhsimran, who brought up yet another half-century. Punja struck again to remove Prabhsimran for 59 off 44 balls. Burger then picked up his lone wicket by sending back Shreyas for 30 off 27, before Stoinis took charge with his unbeaten 62 to lift Punjab Kings to 222/4 in their 20 overs.

Chasing 223, Sooryavanshi walked out with Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the RR openers attacked from the outset. Sooryavanshi’s blistering knock propelled the stand to 51 before Arshdeep sent the teenager back.

Dhruv Jurel came in next and, together with Jaiswal, kept the chase on track, steering RR past 100 inside 9 overs. Yuzvendra Chahal broke the partnership by dismissing Jurel for 16, then struck again to remove Jaiswal after a fine half-century. He completed his three-wicket haul with the dismissal of opposition captain Parag, briefly jolting the RR line-up.

However, Donovan Ferreira and impact substitute Shubam Dube rebuilt calmly and then pressed home the advantage. Ferreira stayed unbeaten with a half-century, while Dube finished on 31 not out, as the pair guided Rajasthan Royals to victory with four balls remaining.