Punjab Kings (PBKS) are performing brilliantly in the ongoing IPL 2026 and are the only team that has not lost a single match so far this season. Still, there is one big concern that cannot be ignored and that is Arshdeep Singh’s form with the ball.
The left-arm fast bowler has not given his best performance so far in the ongoing IPL 2026. He is giving away more runs than expected and is struggling to take wickets in the powerplay. Arshdeep has given 149 runs in his 16 overs bowling so far and has taken only two wickets.
Arshdeep Singh’s poor form is a ‘good sign’ for Punjab Kings, says Aaron Finch
Despite his dreadful numbers, former Australian captain Aaron Finch feels that Arshdeep’s current form is not a major problem for Punjab Kings. In fact, Finch believes that the Indian pace bowler’s struggle could be a positive sign for the franchise, as they are performing well even without their trump card.
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The World Cup-winning captain has pointed out that Arshdeep’s biggest strength is his ability to swing the ball both ways, especially for right-handed batsmen to bring the ball back, but this season, he is missing that sharp inswing, and he is relying more on outswing deliveries.
Nevertheless, Punjab Kings are winning matches in the ongoing IPL 2026 and Finch said that this shows how strong and balanced their overall team is.
He has probably lost his ability to bowl inswingers: Finch on Arshdeep
As quoted by News18, Finch told select media during the IPL 2026 rivalry week: “Yes, he has not got power play wickets. For me, it is a good sign… If Arshdeep is not getting power play wickets and he is still winning games comfortably.”
The former Australian opener further added, “He has probably lost his ability to bowl inswingers to right-handed batsmen as much as he used to… He was adept at swinging the ball both ways. I think he is probably focusing more on his outswingers, which is a bit more of a defensive mindset. But it is a good sign if they are still winning games and your number one trump card has still not been activated… That helps as a captain. “I’ll get a huge amount of confidence.”
Finch also pointed out that Punjab Kings are very clear about their team roles. He further said that the players are being used in the situations where they are most comfortable, and this clarity is helping them perform better as a unit in the ongoing IPL 2026.
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Aaron Finch praises the explosive pair of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya
Meanwhile, the biggest reason behind Punjab’s success has been their fearless batting at the top. Young openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya are giving explosive starts.
Prabhsimran and Priyansh’s aggressive style has made a big difference for Punjab Kings, as they do not wait to settle down and start hitting from the first ball, and Finch said this has made life easier for the rest of the batting lineup.
Finch signed off by saying, “Prabhasimran and Priyansh at the top of the order – they have been brilliant. Their ability to put teams under so much pressure right from the start is impressive. It’s the youngsters around the competition who are doing that more and more at the moment. Their ability to attack from the first ball and almost disrupt opposition bowling attacks and captains’ plans.”