Shreyas Iyer stars with an unbeaten 69 as Punjab Kings chase down 220 against SRH, then outlines the team’s strong title ambitions in IPL 2026.
Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer plays a shot during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Raj Kumar)
Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer made a bold statement about his side’s ambitions after guiding them to a six-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 17 of IPL 2026 at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium.
Named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 69, Iyer made it clear that PBKS are targeting a long-awaited title this season.
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“This is the year we are eyeing the trophy. It’s going to take a lot of effort,” he said after the game.
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Chasing a daunting 220, PBKS got off to a flying start courtesy of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who tore into the SRH attack in the powerplay. The opening pair raced to 93 without loss in the first six overs, setting the perfect platform for the chase.
Also Read: Explained: Why Punjab Kings wore black armbands against SRH in IPL 2026
Iyer, walking in after the fall of wickets, played the anchor’s role to perfection. After taking a few deliveries to settle in, he shifted gears seamlessly to keep PBKS firmly on track.
“We got a phenomenal start. It was magnificent to watch, it was proper cricketing shots,” he noted, while also admitting that batting wasn’t entirely straightforward. “It wasn’t easy. I had to give myself some time, and thankfully it worked out.”
The middle overs saw a slight dip in momentum, but Iyer stitched a crucial partnership with Nehal Wadhera before finishing the job alongside Shashank Singh, as PBKS chased down the target with seven balls to spare.
Iyer also highlighted the impact of Shashank with the ball, crediting him for key breakthroughs. “All of us came together, and Shashank approached me. I needed someone who bowls at 120. He lived up to his expectations. Kudos to him and his thought process,” he said.
Earlier, SRH had posted a formidable 219, riding on a strong start from Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. However, PBKS bowlers did well to pull things back in the latter half, ensuring the target remained within reach.
With this win, Punjab Kings continue their unbeaten run this season, collecting seven points from four matches, with one game washed out. Iyer emphasised the importance of consistency going forward.
“We want to maintain the same rhythm. Openers don’t need to curb their instincts. We’ve been magnificent with our work ethic. You need to be in the present,” he added, also acknowledging the influence of head coach Ricky Ponting.
PBKS will next face Mumbai Indians on April 16 at the Wankhede Stadium as they look to carry forward their strong momentum.
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