Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer (ANI photo)

captain of punjab kings Shreyas Iyer Remaining calm and reflective after his team’s consecutive defeats, he insisted that the team is still in a strong position despite the setback.Speaking after the loss to Gujarat Titans, Iyer felt that 163 was a competitive total given the nature of the pitch. He said that the surface helped the bowlers in the beginning and he credited the opposition team for taking better advantage of it. “I personally feel it was a great score on a wicket where the ball was doing something early on… their bowlers made the best use of the surface,” he said.PBKS suffered a blow early on, losing four wickets inside the powerplay, but a recovery led by Suryansh Shedge helped them post a fighting total. Iyer acknowledged that effort. “To get to 160 from there was a phenomenal effort,” he said, while also admitting that his bowlers could not replicate the same control with the new ball.He highlighted execution as the main difference, especially on a pitch with variable bounce where making strokes was not easy. “It was not easy to hit midwicket or play pull…we lagged a bit in terms of execution,” Iyer said.Despite the defeat, the PBKS captain was quick to highlight the positives, especially the team’s attitude and resilience. He added, “Congratulations on the efforts, the way we fought till the end. The attitude and approach was excellent.”Importantly, Iyer reminded that Punjab Kings are still on top of the table. He underlined the importance of staying grounded, saying, “We are still on top of the table, which is what matters. We will take positives from this game.”Looking ahead, Iyer looked optimistic about a comeback in the next match. Emphasizing the importance of preparation and mindset, he said the team is working behind the scenes. “If the character is high and the attitude is right, you will get results eventually…just stick to your basics and not think too far ahead.”With the race for the playoffs tight, PBKS may have faltered for a while, but the message from their captain is clear – stay composed, trust the process, and the results will follow.