Former Indian leg spinner Piyush Chawla expressed concern over Punjab Kings (PBKS) fast bowler Arshdeep Singh and his poor form in the current IPL season. Chawla warned that Singh’s continued scoring at an alarming rate could cause serious damage to Punjab Kings during the IPL 2026 playoff matches.
Punjab Kings suffered their first defeat in IPL 2026. The Shreyas Iyer-led side failed to defend the target of 222 against Riyan Parag-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadvendra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, April 28. Arshdeep Singh gave 68 runs in four overs and took one wicket.
It’s a topic of concern – Piyush Chawla But Arshdeep Singhbad form
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Piyush Chawla said that relying on out-of-form Singh creates major vulnerabilities when the franchise enters high-pressure playoff situations against strong batting lineups.
“One or two games here and there, you can expect [him to do badly]But this is happening most of the time. Then it is a matter of concern, because if you look at the bigger picture – when you are going into the playoffs – you have to think about it,” Chawla told ESPN Cricinfo.
He said, “What if something like this happens in a playoff game? Then you’re playing a game of catch-up. It’s not like you’re sitting back.”
Arshdeep Singh is someone who is known for taking wickets – Piyush Chawla
Piyush Chawla said that Singh’s success depends on taking early wickets with the new ball. Chawla said that such returns despite bowling in difficult phases including powerplay and death overs are worrying for a premium bowler.
“He’s someone who is known for taking wickets with the new ball, and that’s not happening. In games (where) he takes wickets with the new ball, he bowls an amazing job.”
“That’s what happened against MI (3 wickets for 22 runs). But this season, he is scoring at around 11 runs per over. And I understand he bowls difficult overs in the powerplay and then in the death overs, but still he is your premium bowler,” he said.
In the current Indian Premier League, Arshdeep Singh has taken eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 41.12 and an economy rate of 10.96. Apart from his three wickets against Mumbai Indians (MI), he has struggled against the opposition batsmen.
I don’t mind going for those wide ones – Abhinav Mukund
Former Indian opener Abhinav Mukund agrees with Piyush Chawla about Arshdeep Singh’s struggles. Mukund said that Arshdeep Singh, despite his proven ability to bowl defensive yorkers in the crucial death overs, failed to execute proper plans against Rajasthan Royals.
“There is a concern. Because Arshdeep Singh, no matter how many runs he concedes, he comes back in the death overs, bowls yorkers. We always know that Arshdeep is a very, very good yorker bowler. I don’t mind him going for the wides, because he aims for those wide lines,” explained Abhinav Mukund.
Punjab Kings lost to Rajasthan Royals by six wickets but still top the Indian Premier League table. He has 13 points in eight matches. Captain Shreyas Iyer will lead them against Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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