Punjab Kings missed the chance to move up to third in the Indian Premier League after losing by six wickets to Mumbai Indians.

Tilak Varma's unbeaten 75 off 33 balls saw Mumbai chase down their target of 201 with just one ball to spare, with the IPL play-off race now heating up.

Mumbai, who have already been eliminated, made a poor start after choosing to bowl as Prabhsimran Singh (57) set Punjab on their way to a big total in Dharamsala.

However, Shardul Thakur (4-39) got Mumbai back in the contest, with the Kings requiring a late flurry from Azmatullah Omarzai (38 off 17) to reach the 200-mark.

Mumbai came flying out of the blocks during the chase, with Ryan Rickelton smashing 48 off 23 before being caught in the deep.

Though Rohit Sharma (25) and Sherfane Rutherford (20) struggled to get going, Varma and a late cameo from Will Jacks (25 not out) saw Mumbai get across the line.

Jeet Gaye!  pic.twitter.com/O7b01IktU5

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 14, 2026

Although Punjab remain fourth in the table, they could drop to sixth if Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals both win their games in hand.

Holders Royal Challengers Bangalore lead the way, sitting ahead of Gujarat Titans on net run rate, with both sides one win away from clinching a play-off spot.

Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are both still within an outside chance of qualifying for the top four, while Mumbai and Lucknow Super Giants have been eliminated.

Data Debrief: Varma hits form too late for Mumbai

Varma scored his second 50+ innings of the season, after also recording his first-ever IPL century earlier in the campaign, taking his season total to 336 runs.

He has also scored 46 boundaries (30 fours and 16 sixes) this year, already surpassing his 2025 total (39 boundaries – 23 fours and 16 sixes) in one fewer inning.

Punjab, meanwhile, have now lost five in a row after starting their season with six consecutive wins.