Punjab Kings suffered their first defeat of IPL 2026 after losing to Rajasthan Royals. After the match, former spinner Piyush Chawla raised concerns about Arshdeep Singh’s form, especially with playoffs getting closer.
Arshdeep Singh’s Performance in the Match
Punjab Kings failed to defend a big total of 222 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.
Arshdeep Singh had a tough outing with the ball.
| Overs | Runs Given | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 68 | 1 |
He went for runs in all phases of the game, which made it difficult for PBKS to control the match.
What Piyush Chawla Said
Piyush Chawla said that Arshdeep’s poor form is now becoming a serious concern.
He explained that one or two bad games are normal, but if it continues regularly, it can hurt the team in important matches like playoffs.
Chawla also pointed out that if such performances happen in knockout matches, PBKS could lose control early and be forced to chase the game.
He added that Arshdeep is known for taking early wickets and controlling runs in the powerplay and death overs, but this season he has not been able to do that consistently.
Arshdeep’s Strength and Current Issue
Arshdeep Singh is usually known for his yorkers and ability to handle pressure in death overs.
However, this season he has struggled with consistency and is conceding runs at a high rate.
Chawla also mentioned his strong spell of 3/22 against Mumbai Indians as proof of his potential, but highlighted that such performances have not come regularly.
Abhinav Mukund’s Opinion
Former Indian batter Abhinav Mukund also agreed that Arshdeep is not in his best form.
He said Arshdeep could not execute his plans properly against Rajasthan Royals. Usually, he is very effective with yorkers in death overs, but that was missing in this match.
Mukund explained that Arshdeep often bowls wide lines and tries to control runs before attacking with yorkers. But in this game, that plan did not work well.
Also See : India T20 World Cup Winners in IPL 2026: Full Performance Report So Far
Arshdeep Singh IPL 2026 Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 8 |
| Wickets | 8 |
| Average | 41.12 |
| Economy | 10.96 |
| Best Bowling | 3/22 |
These numbers show that he has struggled to maintain consistency this season.
What’s Next for Punjab Kings
Despite the loss, Punjab Kings are still at the top of the table with 13 points from 8 matches.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the team in their next match against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 3.
Final Take
Arshdeep Singh remains a key bowler for Punjab Kings, but his current form is a concern.
With playoffs coming soon, PBKS will need him to return to his best and deliver strong performances in pressure situations.
