Piyush Chawla Warns Arshdeep Singh: Poor Form Could Haunt PBKS in IPL 2026 Playoffs

A Costly Outing: PBKS Fall to Rajasthan Royals

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) experienced their first taste of defeat in IPL 2026 on Tuesday, April 28, in a high-scoring thriller against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Playing at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, the Shreyas Iyer-led side put up a formidable total of 222 runs, a score that would typically put any team in a commanding position. However, the bowling unit failed to defend the target, allowing Riyan Parag’s Rajasthan Royals to chase it down with six wickets to spare.

While the batters did their job, the spotlight has shifted heavily toward the bowling attack, specifically lead pacer Arshdeep Singh. In a match where discipline was paramount, Singh struggled significantly, conceding a staggering 68 runs in his four-over quota while managing to pick up only one wicket. This performance has reignited concerns about the left-arm seamer’s current rhythm and efficiency.

Piyush Chawla’s Warning: The Playoff Peril

Former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla did not mince his words when analyzing Arshdeep’s recent form. Speaking with ESPNcricinfo, Chawla emphasized that while a few bad games are expected in a long tournament, the consistency of Singh’s struggles is now a “matter of concern.”

Chawla’s primary worry lies in the upcoming playoffs. He believes that relying on an out-of-form strike bowler creates a massive vulnerability when facing the league’s most potent batting lineups under extreme pressure.

“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 explained.

He further elaborated on the danger of such performances in knockout games: “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 for Arshdeep Singh this season paint a worrying picture for the Punjab Kings management. Across eight matches, Singh has taken eight wickets, but his supporting numbers are far from ideal:

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• Average: 41.12
• Economy Rate: 10.96
• Recent Form: Conceded 68 runs in 4 overs vs RR

Piyush Chawla pointed out that Arshdeep’s success is historically tied to his ability to strike early with the new ball. When he picks up early wickets, his overall spell tends to be wonderful—as seen in his dominant 3 for 22 against Mumbai Indians (MI). However, outside of that specific performance, he has struggled to contain the opposition.

Chawla acknowledged that Singh is tasked with the hardest phases of the game—the powerplay and the death overs—but argued that as a “premium bowler,” an economy rate nearing 11 runs per over is unsustainable for a team with title aspirations.

Technical Failures and Execution Issues

Joining the critique, former Indian opening batter Abhinav Mukund noted that the issue against Rajasthan Royals was one of execution. Mukund highlighted that Arshdeep is traditionally known for his ability to nail defensive yorkers during the death overs, a skill that has often saved PBKS in tight finishes.

“A concern. Because Arshdeep Singh, no matter how many runs he leaks, he comes back in the death, nails the yorkers,” Mukund stated. “I don’t mind him going for those wide, because he aims for those wide lines.” However, Mukund observed that against the Royals, Singh failed to execute these plans, leaving the door open for the batters to dominate.

The Road Ahead for Punjab Kings

Despite the concerns surrounding their lead pacer, the Punjab Kings remain in a strong position. They currently top the Indian Premier League table with 13 points from eight matches. This cushion gives Shreyas Iyer and the coaching staff some breathing room to address Arshdeep’s form before the business end of the tournament.

The team will look to bounce back in their next encounter against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 3. For PBKS, the goal will be to ensure that their bowling attack—and specifically Arshdeep Singh—finds its rhythm before the high-pressure environment of the playoffs arrives.