Shreyas Iyer has said he will be cheering for Mumbai Indians when they face Rajasthan Royals, because the result will decide whether Punjab Kings reach the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Punjab’s revival
PBKS ended a six-match losing streak with a comfortable win over Lucknow Super Giants, briefly moving into the top four of the points table. Iyer led from the front with an unbeaten 101 off 51 balls as Punjab chased down 197 with ease.
What is at stake
Punjab’s fate now rests on the match at Wankhede Stadium. A Mumbai win would secure their place in the playoffs, while a Rajasthan victory would knock them out. Iyer said he was ecstatic with his first hundred of the season, which arrived when the team needed it, and added that he was simply hoping to support MI the following day.
A Mumbai connection
Iyer is Punjab’s standout player this season, with 498 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 168.81. He came through Mumbai’s domestic system, made his professional debut in 2014 and still plays in local tournaments, including captaining the Sobo Mumbai Falcons in the T20 Mumbai League. He is also set to return as skipper in 2026 after being retained. Even so, he has never played for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
With PBKS and Kolkata Knight Riders both still in the race, the MI versus RR game could shape the final standings.
