After an embarrassing defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer asked his team to remain composed as they will have a second shot at the final.

PBKS, who reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014, suffered an 8-wicket defeat to RCB at Mullanpur after they were bowled out for 101 in 14.1 overs, setting a new low in IPL playoff history. PBKS' score eclipsed Delhi Capitals’ 16.1-over effort in IPL 2008. It also marked PBKS’s fourth all-out below 111 runs, and third against RCB.

Captain Iyer could not contribute much as he was dismissed for 2 by Josh Hazlewood. After he returned to the dressing room, coach Ricky Ponting charged towards him and asked for his answer for playing the wild shot at a time when he needed to show restraint.

On his part, Iyer took the responsibility of the defeat. “Not a day to forget, but we have got to go back to the drawing board. We lost a lot of wickets early. There is a lot to go back and study,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "We have lost the battle but not the war," he added.

Despite the setback, Iyer stood by his decisions. “I am not doubting my decisions. Whatever we planned off the field was on point. We just couldn’t execute,” he explained. “Cannot even blame the bowlers — it was too little to defend.”

After captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first, RCB bowlers exploited the conditions well and ripped through PBKS's batting line-up. Josh Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma picked up 3 wickets each, while Yash Dayal claimed a brace.

RCB chased down the target, losing the wickets of Virat Kohli and Mayank Agarwal. Philip Salt scored an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls to help the RCB book a spot in the final for the first time since 2016.

PBKS will now play in Qualifier 2 on June 1, when they will take on the winners of the Eliminator to be played between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians on Friday.

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