Punjab Kings may be topping the IPL 2026 standings, but Ian Bishop says the franchise’s bowling “execution” has to improve if it wants to stay in title contention. After PBKS’ unbeaten momentum was halted by Rajasthan Royals in New Chandigarh, Bishop pointed to a worrying pattern: the side has often been competitive with the bat, yet struggles to convert bowling plans into wickets—especially in key phases of matches.
Key takeaways
- Punjab Kings are currently leading the IPL 2026 table, but Ian Bishop believes their bowling has fallen short in execution.
- PBKS’ unbeaten run ended when they lost to Rajasthan Royals by six wickets in New Chandigarh.
- In that defeat, PBKS bowled more than double the number of slower balls than RR but conceded 64 runs from 27 deliveries of that type without taking a wicket.
- Bishop argued that relying mainly on out-batting strong teams is not a sustainable route to winning the tournament.
- PBKS have conceded five totals of 200-plus and one score of 195 across seven completed innings, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh among those under pressure.
- Punjab face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday, during the Revenge Week window from May 2–10.
Bishop questions the bowling balance behind PBKS’ top spot
Speaking in a virtual interaction ahead of TATA IPL 2026 Revenge Week, Ian Bishop said he remains a fan of Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and Ricky Ponting’s approach as coach. He also reflected on past Punjab sides—going back to the 2014 group that reached the final—and on the franchise’s aggressive brand even during the pandemic period.
However, Bishop said the concern is not new and is visible in the numbers. He suggested Punjab’s bowling is something the top team should take seriously, adding that when he revisits the metrics across phases, Punjab sit among the bottom three bowling outfits in those comparisons.
Out-batting alone won’t win titles, Bishop warns
Bishop highlighted the risk of depending too heavily on batting fireworks. In his view, the approach can work in isolated matches, but it becomes limiting when facing established teams known for their bowling quality—he cited RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad as examples, as well as Rajasthan Royals, who boast a strong bowling unit including Jofra Archer.
He stressed that IPL winners, particularly in the current decade and even looking back toward the period around 2010 and 2015, typically have a more even balance between batting and bowling rather than leaning primarily on one department.
What went wrong vs Rajasthan Royals
Punjab Kings saw their unbeaten run come to an end against Rajasthan Royals, losing by six wickets at New Chandigarh. Bishop pointed out that despite PBKS using slower balls heavily—bowling more than twice the number compared to RR—the plan failed to produce breakthroughs.
He noted that Punjab conceded 64 runs from 27 slower-ball deliveries without taking a wicket, calling it a significant execution error. In the same match context, he framed it as a blunt reality check for a team that wants to keep winning consistently at the top level.
200-plus totals and Arshdeep Singh’s difficult stretch
Bishop also brought up PBKS’ wider defensive record in the competition so far. He said Punjab have conceded five 200-plus totals and one score of 195 in seven completed innings, a trend that underlines the need for tighter bowling.
He linked much of the slide to the form of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, describing it as his toughest IPL season to date. Bishop said Arshdeep’s average and economy rate have been on the higher side, which has made it harder for Punjab to control innings, particularly once pressure builds.
Next challenge: Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad
Only time will tell whether PBKS can correct their bowling issues when they play Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Sunday. This match falls within the Revenge Week phase, scheduled from May 2–10.
Bishop acknowledged that Punjab’s bowlers had performed well at the back end of the innings in their previous meeting with GT, when PBKS beat Gujarat Titans in New Chandigarh to kickstart their campaign on a high. He suggested that while this has been a strength at times, it may not always be guaranteed.
Execution under pressure is the deciding factor
Bishop said he expects Punjab to be tested again and believes the team must improve the way they execute under pressure—especially when it comes to yorkers and slower balls. He argued that the best bowlers are the ones who can deliver those plans precisely when batters are trying to attack.
He also referenced the nature of the surface at Mullanpur, but stressed that the issue wasn’t the pitch—it was the decision-making and delivery accuracy. Bishop said Punjab showed mis-execution, including full tosses that were meant to function as yorkers, and added that bowlers such as Arshdeep Singh and Lockie Ferguson, and to a lesser extent Yuzvendra Chahal, need to start executing those specific skills more consistently.
