Tilak Verma led Mumbai to victoryImage Credit source: PTI
Punjab Kings have faced their fifth consecutive defeat in IPL 2026. Punjab, which started the season without losing in 7 consecutive matches, has not been able to win a single match since then. This time it lost at the hands of Mumbai Indians, who themselves are already out of the tournament. Tilak Verma was the star of Mumbai’s victory, who played an explosive innings and led the team to victory by 6 wickets. The special thing about this victory was the attack in the last 3 overs, in which Tilak played a big role.
In this match played on May 14 in Dharamshala, Punjab, under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, scored 200 runs while batting first. In response, Mumbai had made a strong start and the team was continuously looking ahead during this run chase. But the target seemed to be difficult due to the fall of some wickets in between and tight bowling. At one time such a situation arose that 50 runs were required in the last 3 overs, which was not impossible but not easy at all.
It was here that Tilak Verma was in full swing, who had already succeeded in taking the team to this position by playing strong innings. Till the end of the 17th over, Tilak was at the crease after scoring 45 runs in 24 balls. He was accompanied by Will Jacques (1 run, 2 balls), who had come out to bat in the last over itself. After this, both these batsmen destroyed the Punjab bowlers in the last 3 overs.
Together they scored 54 runs in 17 balls and led the team to victory. In this too, Tilak Verma looked more dangerous, who scored 30 runs in just 9 balls, while Jacques scored 24 runs in 8 balls. Tilak returned after playing unbeaten innings of 75 runs in just 33 balls and Jacques played unbeaten innings of 25 runs in 10 balls and led the team to a memorable victory.
With this match, Shreyas Iyer’s successful streak against Mumbai Indians also ended. In fact, since 2020, Shreyas Iyer had won 7 consecutive matches against Mumbai as captain. Their last defeat against Mumbai came in the final of IPL 2020. After this, as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders and now Punjab Kings since 2022, Iyer had got consecutive wins against Mumbai.
