Punjab Kings might have hit a rough patch with back-to-back defeats, but captain Shreyas Iyer isn't hitting the panic button just yet. After a narrow loss to Gujarat Titans, Iyer stood firm, reminding everyone that his team still holds the top spot on the IPL 2026 points table—and that's what counts.

Chasing down 163, PBKS fell short, but Iyer defended the total as competitive given the tricky pitch conditions. "I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing a bit at the start," he said, tipping his cap to the Titans' bowlers for making the most of the early movement. "Their bowlers made the best use of the surface."

The Kings stumbled early, losing four wickets inside the powerplay, but a gritty recovery from Suryansh Shedge gave the innings a fighting chance. "To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort," Iyer acknowledged, though he admitted the bowling unit couldn't replicate the same control with the new ball.

On a pitch with variable bounce where stroke-making was a challenge, Iyer pointed to execution as the deciding factor. "Hitting over midwicket or playing the pull wasn't easy… in terms of execution we fell a bit short," he explained. It was a candid admission from a captain who knows that in T20 cricket, the margins are razor-thin.

But rather than dwell on the negatives, Iyer focused on the team's fighting spirit. "The way we fought till the end, kudos to the efforts. The attitude and approach was excellent," he said, highlighting the resilience that has defined PBKS this season. "We're still on top of the table which is what matters. We'll take positives from this game."

Looking ahead to the next fixture, Iyer stressed the importance of sticking to the basics and maintaining the right mindset. "If the character is high and attitude is right, you'll get results eventually… just got to stick to our basics and not think too much ahead," he said, sounding optimistic about a quick turnaround.

With the playoff race heating up, Punjab Kings may have stumbled briefly, but if their captain's defiance is anything to go by, this team isn't ready to give up its top spot without a fight. For fans eyeing the latest PBKS gear to show their support, the message is clear: stay confident, stay loyal—the Kings are still in control.