IPL 2026: 'There are going to be ups and downs,' PBKS spin coach after fourth consecutive defeat

Sairaj Bahutule and Shreyas Iyer (Pic: PTI)

Punjab Kings suffered a defeat against the Delhi Capitals at HPCA Stadium on Monday, even after dominating most of the match. After being unbeaten in the first 7 matches, PBKS have now lost four matches in a row.

Discussing the team's form, Punjab Kings' spin bowling coach admitted that his team is going through a slump in form. The Shreyas Iyer-led team were the favourite to top the table just a few weeks ago but has since lost its momentum.

"I think we started off really well, and yes, we've lost the last four games, but we are still in the hunt to qualify (for playoffs). There are going to be lots of ups and downs, there are going to be times where you've almost won the game, and you lose like today. We had almost had the game with us, but we didn't execute the skills needed in the last five overs. So all we need to do is just keep this aside and move ahead and play the next three games to the best of our ability." Sairaj Bahutule said.

Bahutule on Chahal's absence from bowling

Due to DC's pace-heavy bowling strategy and PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer's refusal to hand the ball to Yuzvendra Chahal, the tournament's top wicket-taker, there was not a single over of spin bowling during the match.

This was only the second IPL match in which pacers bowled every over. In the 2008 IPL encounter between RCB and CSK, which lasted 39.4 overs, pacers bowled more deliveries.

"There was a thought during the timeout, but I think the ball was seeming and the conditions were suitable for the fast bowlers, so I think the decision was very spontaneous to continue with the fast bowlers and see how we can, you know, get those wickets and which we did early on, but I think one partnership just took it away from us," Bahutule added.

Talking about the areas of concern for PBKS, Bahutule said, "We look into certain phases of our bowling and also the fielding part. Unfortunately, we dropped a few catches again at the crucial time. So that was very important, and I think we will reflect, but again, no time for us to really brood about it."

(With ANI Input)