Ipl 2026: After five consecutive defeats, Preity Zinta was seen having a long discussion with Ponting; Why did the coach reprimand the team – Preity Zinta-ricky Ponting’s Intense Chat Goes Viral As Punjab Kings’ Playoff Hopes Take Massive Hit Ipl 2026

Haddin warned the players

Haddin has clearly warned the players that there is no scope for error left now. Brad Haddin said in the press conference after the match, ‘We still have two matches left and the good thing is that luck is still in our hands. But now there is nothing like yesterday. There will be no discussion of anything else now. We have to win our remaining two matches at any cost. The matter is as simple as that. We are as disappointed as you all with the way we started the tournament and where we stand now. Now we have to play our best cricket in the next two matches to get a chance to play the final.

‘The team could not perform well under pressure’

He admitted that the team could not perform well in pressure situations. Haddin said, ‘IPL is a tournament where there is pressure all the time, especially at this stage. It is important to handle big occasions and pressure. But in the last few defeats we were not able to handle the pressure properly. We could not play our best cricket when it mattered, which is disappointing.

‘No attention to external criticism’

On social media and external criticism, Haddin said that at the moment the team is only focusing on its game. He said, ‘The atmosphere in the dressing room is good. I don’t pay much attention to social media, so I don’t know much about what’s going on there. But within the team our focus is only on winning the match. External noise is part of professional sports. Players also have to handle things outside the field and it is important to play in the right mental state.

Prabhasimran gave a fast start

Batting first, Punjab made a good start. Prabhsimran Singh played a brilliant inning of 57 runs, while Priyansh Arya scored 27 runs. Both got off to a fast start in the powerplay. Later, there was also an important partnership with Cooper Connolly, due to which the team scored a strong score of 200/8 in 20 overs. However, Shardul Thakur bowled brilliantly for Mumbai and took four wickets and did not allow Punjab’s innings to progress completely.

Tilak Verma turned the match

While chasing the target of 201 runs, Ryan Rickelton gave an explosive start to Mumbai Indians. He scored 48 runs in just 23 balls. Although Punjab tried to make a comeback in the middle overs, Tilak Verma completely took control of the match. Tilak played a stormy inning of 75 unbeaten runs. He first partnered with Sherfane Rutherford and then with Will Jacques to lead the team to victory. In the last over, he ended the match by hitting two consecutive sixes.

Chahal and Arshdeep’s hard work went in vain

Arshdeep Singh bowled brilliantly with the new ball and gave only eight runs in the first two overs. Yuzvendra Chahal also created excitement in the match by taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma. But other bowlers could not create pressure, of which Mumbai batsmen took advantage. Now Punjab Kings will have to win both their remaining matches at any cost to keep their playoff hopes alive.