Arshdeep Singh’s Poor Form a ‘Matter of Concern’: Piyush Chawla Warns PBKS
A Costly Outing for Punjab Kings
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) experienced their first setback of the IPL 2026 season in a high-scoring encounter against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Despite a commanding batting performance that saw the Shreyas Iyer-led side post a formidable target of 222 runs, the bowling unit failed to hold their nerve. In a match held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, April 28, Riyan Parag’s Rajasthan Royals successfully chased down the total, securing a six-wicket victory.
While the batting effort was commendable, the spotlight has shifted heavily toward PBKS’ premier fast bowler, Arshdeep Singh. In a spell that can only be described as disastrous, Singh conceded 68 runs in his allotted four overs, managing to pick up only one wicket. This performance has sparked an intense debate regarding his current form and the potential impact on the franchise’s championship aspirations.
Piyush Chawla’s Warning: The Playoff Peril
Former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has not minced words regarding Arshdeep Singh’s recent struggles. Speaking with ESPNcricinfo, Chawla emphasized that while a few bad games are expected in a grueling tournament like the IPL, the consistency of Singh’s poor form is now a “matter of concern.”
Chawla’s primary worry lies in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs. He warned that relying on a bowler who is consistently leaking runs at an alarming rate could haunt Punjab Kings when they face the league’s most potent batting lineups in the knockout stages.
“A game or two games here and there, you can expect [him to do badly], but it’s happening most of the time. Then it is a matter of concern, because if you look at the bigger picture – when you’re going into the playoffs – then you have to think about it,” Chawla told ESPNcricinfo. He further elaborated, “What if something like this happened in a playoff game? Then you’re playing a catch-up game. It’s not that you’re sitting comfortably.”
Analyzing the Statistical Decline
The numbers paint a worrying picture for the left-arm pacer. In the ongoing Indian Premier League season, Arshdeep Singh has appeared in eight matches, claiming eight wickets. However, his average of 41.12 and an economy rate of 10.96 are far from the standards expected of a premium strike bowler.
Piyush Chawla pointed out that Singh’s effectiveness is intrinsically linked to his ability to strike early. According to Chawla, when Singh picks up wickets with the new ball, he typically manages to bowl a wonderful spell overall. A prime example of this was his clinical performance against the Mumbai Indians (MI), where he finished with impressive figures of 3 for 22.
However, outside of that single standout performance, Singh has struggled to contain the opposition. Chawla acknowledged that Singh is tasked with bowling the most difficult phases of the innings—the powerplay and the death overs—but argued that his status as a premium bowler means he must deliver regardless of the phase.
Technical Failures at the Death
The concerns are echoed by former Indian opening batter Abhinav Mukund, who noted a lapse in execution during the match against Rajasthan Royals. Mukund highlighted that Arshdeep is traditionally renowned for his ability to nail defensive yorkers during the closing stages of an innings, regardless of how many runs he might have conceded earlier.
“A concern. Because Arshdeep Singh, no matter how many runs he leaks, he comes back in the death, nails the yorkers. We’ve always known Arshdeep to be a very, very good yorker bowler,” Mukund explained. He noted that while he doesn’t mind Singh bowling to wide lines as part of a strategy, the failure to execute proper plans against RR was a significant red flag.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Ahmedabad
Despite the concerns surrounding their bowling attack and the loss to RR, the Punjab Kings remain in a strong position. They currently top the Indian Premier League table with 13 points from eight matches, suggesting that their overall team balance has been sufficient to offset individual struggles.
The team now looks forward to their next challenge on May 3, where captain Shreyas Iyer will lead the squad against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. For PBKS to maintain their dominance at the top of the table and prepare for a successful playoff run, finding a solution to Arshdeep Singh’s form will likely be a priority for the coaching staff.
- Current Standing: 1st Place (13 Points)
- Next Opponent: Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Date: May 3
