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Punjab Kings’ playoff hopes were seriously dented as Tilak Varma and Will Jacks held their nerve to power Mumbai Indians to a consolatory six-wicket win in Dharamsala.

With that defeat, PBKS found themselves in a spot of bother with 13 points in 12 games. It was their fifth consecutive defeat in a horrible turnaround in IPL 2026.

Tilak Varma and Will Jacks finish off chase

Chasing 201, Mumbai looked out of control before the equation came down to 15 needed off the final over. Xavier Bartlett took the ball, but the over quickly slipped away.

Will Jacks started with a six, dispatching a low full toss straight down the ground for a maximum. Tilak Varma then finished it in style, smashing two back-to-back sixes to seal the chase with one ball to spare.

As the winning runs were struck, the PBKS dugout wore grim expressions, with the defeat leaving the camp visibly shaken.

Tilak, Rickleton anchors another 200-plus chase

Earlier, Ryan Rickelton gave Mumbai a quick start with 48 at the top. Rohit Sharma struggled for rhythm and managed 25 off 26 deliveries.

The star of the chase was Tilak, who remained unbeaten on 75 from 33 balls. His knock helped Mumbai chase down their third 200-plus target this season.

For PBKS, it looked like a game within reach for most of the chase, but the last two overs changed everything. Marco Jansen once again proved expensive, leaking 55 runs in four overs for one wicket.

Azmatullah Omarzai, playing his first game of the season, returned 2 for 36 and stood out. Yuzvendra Chahal also picked up one wicket, but the effort was not enough.

Prabhsimran Singh fifty lifts Punjab Kings

Earlier in the first innings, Prabhsimran Singh scored a fine half-century, making 57 off 32 deliveries. Priyansh Arya supported him with a useful 22.

The middle order failed once again, with skipper Shreyas Iyer falling cheaply for 4.

Azmatullah later provided momentum with 38 off 17 balls. Vishnu Vinod and Xavier Bartlett then ensured Punjab crossed the 200-run mark.

PBKS now in must-win territory

With this defeat, Punjab have only two league matches left against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants.

They now need to win both games to remain alive in the playoff race. Mumbai, already eliminated, at least had the satisfaction with a morale-boosting win.

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