India, May 17 -- Punjab Kings have hit a major stumbling block, slipping to their sixth straight defeat after a heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. A team that once looked unstoppable in the first half of the season - going unbeaten in seven games with six wins and a tie - now finds itself in a must-win situation and still dependent on other results to stay alive in the race.

Punjab's momentum has completely evaporated at a crucial stage of the tournament, with little going their way in recent matches. The dip in form has also affected skipper Shreyas Iyer, while the fast bowling unit has struggled to deliver under pressure when it mattered most. What once looked like a commanding c...