PBKS have lost five in a row and now face the IPL leaders — can Shreyas Iyer find an answer at Dharamsala today?

The Punjab Kings (PBKS), who started their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign with six victories in seven encounters, including a washed-out result against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have now lost five successive games, including the latest one against the Mumbai Indians. 

Punjab now has two fixtures remaining against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 17 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, which is followed by their last group-stage clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 23.

Runs in powerplay and nothing in middle overs — Why PBKS keep setting totals they can not defend

The Shreyas Iyer-led side has struggled massively during the middle overs (7-15). In the period of nine overs, the runners-up of the previous season have smashed 935 runs in 11 innings at an average of 31.17 and a strike rate of 157.41, which is the second-best of the event. 

They have lost 30 wickets inside this period, which is the joint fourth-most in the IPL 2026. They will hope to get better results in the batting department.

See Also: Celina Jaitley spotted alongside PBKS Owner Preity Zinta in Dharamsala during PBKS vs MI IPL 2026

Meanwhile, they have been superb inside the power play (1-6) of this edition. They have managed 698 runs in 11 innings of this period at an average of 53.69 and a strike rate of 176.26, thanks to 45 sixes and 76 boundaries.

Death overs and no answers — PBKS have conceded 60+ runs in the last five overs in four straight matches

The death overs with the ball have been the biggest issue for the Kings, as they are yet to find any result in this period. In overs between 16-20, the franchise has given away 640 runs in 11 innings at an average of 35.56 and an economy rate of more than 12.

The team has been clubbed for 47 boundaries and 63 overs at the best bowling figures of 3/34 in an innings. They have conceded more than 60 runs in the last five overs of the innings. Their line and lengths, including the variations, haven’t worked out for the side.

Marco Jansen has an economy rate of 12.79 in 68 balls with just three wickets during the death overs of the innings. All of Lockie Ferguson, India's Vijaykumar Vysha, and Jansen have gone for an economy rate of more than 12. Xavier Bartlett has gone for an economy rate of 10.65 while Arshdeep Singh has an economy rate of 10.90 inside the death overs. 

A depleted bowling and a must-win situation — here is what changes, or the season is over.

Punjab might still qualify as the fourth team for the playoffs with 13 points if several other results go their way. But with GT losing to KKR, that equation can be eliminated. An easier route is also available for the Kings, who will be able to qualify if they win their two remaining matches and get to 17.

See Also: 6 wins in 7, then 4 straight losses: What actually went wrong for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026?

With CSK losing to the Super Giants, it’s now impossible for four other teams to get to 17 or beyond, which means the fate of the Kings rests in their hands. If they finish on 15 points, then they will be at the mercy of the results.

Punjab will be eager to end their losing streak against the RCB side in Dharmsala and get back on the winning ways. Winning is a habit just like losing, and the latter hasn’t been helpful for their fate. All of this makes the clash a do-or-die situation for them. Can they finally overcome the RCB hurdle?