Follow UsShreyas Iyer, captain of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), was brave even in defeat and that too heavy defeat as his team lost the Qualifier 1 by eight wickets with the target of 102, set up by them, getting chased by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 10 overs and with eight wickets in hand.
Reacting to the loss, Iyer tried to keep his team's morale high before Qualifier 2. He said that his team had lost the battle but not the war.
“We have lost the battle, but not the war,” Iyer said in the post-match press conference on May 29. There's a lot to go back and study on. I am not doubting my decisions to be honest. Just that we couldn't execute it on the field. Can't even blame the bowlers, as it was a low total to defend,” he added.
Rajat Patidar, captain of the RCB, was clear in his approach, saying that the team would be waiting for June 3 and celebrate with the fans after winning the title.
“I always thank RCB fans, not only in Chinnaswamy, but wherever we go we feel it's our home ground. We love you, so keep supporting us. One more game and let's celebrate together,” he said.
Patidar also praised his bowlers for getting the entire Punjab team all-out in just 14.1 overs for 101. "The way Suyash chipped in, the way he bowled his lines and lengths, that was perfect. As a captain, I am clear about his bowling. He has to target the stumps. That's his strength. His wrong 'un is difficult to read for the batters,” he said.
Suyash Sharma, who was named Player of the Match, thanked his coaches for the support. “My coaches gave me just one role, which is to hit the stumps whether I bowl legbreak, googly, flipper or any other variation,” he said.
He also echoed Patidar’s sentiments on the celebration part. “Not quite now (whether he will be celebrating tonight), I will celebrate on 3rd (June) and it will be very hard as well,” he said.