Piyush Chawla Warns Arshdeep Singh: PBKS Bowler’s Poor Form a ‘Matter of Concern’
A Costly Outing for Punjab Kings
The Punjab Kings (PBKS) may still be leading the charge in the Indian Premier League 2026, but their recent encounter with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) has exposed a glaring vulnerability in their bowling attack. In a high-scoring thriller held at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, April 28, the Shreyas Iyer-led side suffered their first defeat of the season despite putting up a mammoth target of 222 runs.
While the batting unit fired on all cylinders, the bowling effort was uneven, most notably from their spearhead, Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer had a nightmare outing, conceding a staggering 68 runs in his allotted four overs while managing to pick up only one wicket. It was a performance that not only contributed to the six-wicket loss but also sparked a wider conversation about the bowler’s current state of form.
Piyush Chawla Sounds the Alarm
Former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, known for his tactical acumen, did not mince his words when analyzing Arshdeep’s recent struggles. Speaking with ESPNcricinfo, Chawla emphasized that while a bad game or two is expected in a grueling tournament like the IPL, the consistency of Arshdeep’s poor returns is now a “matter of concern.”
Chawla’s primary concern lies in the long-term implications for the franchise as they head toward the business end of the tournament. He warned that relying on an out-of-form premium bowler creates significant vulnerabilities when facing elite batting lineups in the playoffs.
“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.
Chawla further elaborated on the risks, stating, “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 Numbers: A Premium Bowler in Crisis
The statistics paint a worrying picture for the Punjab Kings. In the ongoing season, Arshdeep Singh has featured in eight matches, claiming eight wickets. However, his average stands at a high 41.12, and his economy rate has ballooned to 10.96 runs per over.
For a bowler of Arshdeep’s caliber, who is often entrusted with the most difficult phases of the game—the powerplay and the death overs—these numbers are alarming. Chawla pointed out that Arshdeep’s success is heavily predicated on his ability to strike early with the new ball. When he secures those early breakthroughs, the rest of his spell typically falls into place, as seen in his stellar performance against Mumbai Indians (MI), where he claimed 3 for 22.
However, the lack of early wickets in recent games has left him exposed, leading to the high economy rate that Chawla believes must be addressed immediately.
The Execution Gap: Abhinav Mukund’s Perspective
Echoing Chawla’s sentiments, former Indian opening batter Abhinav Mukund also expressed concern over the fast bowler’s recent execution. Mukund highlighted that Arshdeep is renowned for his ability to nail defensive yorkers under pressure, yet that precision was missing against the Rajasthan Royals.
“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 Arshdeep bowling wide lines as part of a strategy, the failure to execute the plan against RR was the real issue.
The Road Ahead for Punjab Kings
Despite the concerns surrounding their bowling attack, Punjab Kings remain in a strong position. They currently top the IPL table with 13 points from eight matches. However, the loss to RR serves as a wake-up call for Shreyas Iyer and his coaching staff.
The team will now look to bounce back as they prepare to face the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 3. For Arshdeep Singh, the upcoming match is not just about points, but about reclaiming his confidence and proving that he can still be the match-winner Punjab Kings need for a deep playoff run.
- Current Standing: 1st Place (13 Points)
- Next Opponent: Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Date: May 3
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
