Nine 200-plus totals conceded and six consecutive losses have left Punjab Kings (PBKS) facing a complex qualification scenario in the ongoing Indian Premier League season.
Gearing up for a do-or-die fixture against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting rued the lack of ability to deliver in crunch moments.
“Yes, we’ve lost six games in a row. But there have been very few games in which we’ve been outplayed. We got to winning positions in most of the games but haven’t been able to close them out,” he said on the eve of the game.
A lot of factors have played a role in the team’s decline, and the most glaring one was not on the field but off it. Shreyas Iyer’s side came under immense scrutiny on social media after several of its key players found themselves involved in various controversies.
“I don’t think anything externally has interrupted us as a team. I’m not a big social media guy and might be a bit oblivious to what’s happening there,” Ponting said.
“All that I can control is the behaviour of the team and how they prepare ahead of each game. I think we were exceptional right from the start of the season but have been a little bit off lately. But we’ve got only ourselves to blame for the situation we are in now, and we will focus on whatever we can do to win tomorrow,” he added.
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Skipper Shreyas, too, has been a point of discussion for his batting. The 31-year-old has managed to score just one 30-plus score in the last five games despite amassing over 390 runs overall this season.
Ponting, however, sees the positive side of things. “Shreyas has had a very good tournament with the bat. His leadership around the group has been exceptional. He’s a very mature leader who now understands how to get the best out of his players. Every time he speaks, every one of our players looks up and listens,” said Ponting.
With knockout qualification on the line, PBKS will hope Shreyas delivers with both his bat and decisions on the field.
Party spoilers
On the other hand, an already eliminated LSG comes into the game with nothing to lose. It already played a part in Chennai Super Kings’ exit and will look to do the same against the visitor.
“We haven’t found the ideal winning formula this season so far. So, hopefully moving into tomorrow, we can do that, and we can put on one final good show for our fans at home,” said LSG assistant coach, Lance Klusener.
Reflecting on a campaign that fell short of expectations, Klusener defended the team’s work ethic while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the sport.
“Everyone has given 100%. We certainly would have liked better results. But sometimes that’s the game. It’s not like you can go and study for something and then become a doctor or a lawyer in cricket, he said.
You can study and practice as hard as you want. It still doesn’t guarantee success. So that’s been the downside, I guess. And I think it would be really unfair to try and point fingers at everyone. I think everybody is as responsible as everybody else,” he added.
Published on May 22, 2026