Punjab Kings speedster Arshdeep Singh has found himself at the centre of a fresh wave of online debate, with multiple incidents—from match vlogs to an exchange with Tilak Varma—fueling discussion among fans and followers. As the franchise moves toward its upcoming clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the team’s head of sports science Andrew Leipus has stepped in to address the noise around Arshdeep’s social media presence and performance swings.
Social media chatter and the moments that sparked it
Arshdeep’s name has been trending after his recent vlogging activity, where he shared clips from games and travel during the IPL. The posts reportedly drew disapproval from those in charge, with authorities allegedly unhappy about the content.
The situation intensified further when Arshdeep faced backlash for comments made during a video recorded ahead of Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 fixture against Mumbai Indians. In the clip, he referred to Tilak Varma as “Andhere” (Dark one), a remark that did not go down well with segments of the audience.
Not long after, another fan added to the pressure by urging Arshdeep to stop using the Punjab Kings name in IPL posts, claiming it was causing embarrassment for the franchise. Arshdeep responded sharply, writing: “What have you done for Punjab, Singh saab? People who still ask family for chips and cold drink money are now advising me on Punjab?”
Leipus on Arshdeep’s conduct, consistency and the ‘flat line’ mindset
Ahead of Punjab Kings’ match against RCB, Leipus spoke to reporters during the pre-match press conference about the ongoing online conversation surrounding the pacer.
- Leipus said he does not actively track social media and is only aware of the chatter because it has been discussed around the team.
- On Arshdeep’s temperament, Leipus described him as steady—“a flat line”—suggesting there is no dramatic fluctuation in attitude or behaviour.
- He added that Arshdeep’s approach is consistent: “He gives his best out there,” and the team has been working with him while monitoring his body.
- Leipus suggested that physical factors may have contributed to performance variations, pointing to “restrictions” as a possible reason behind ups and downs.
- He said the team believes it has identified a workable solution, calling it “a bit of a winner.”
How recent weeks have looked for the pacer
Leipus also highlighted that Arshdeep has been feeling physically better in the last couple of weeks. He reiterated that, overall, Arshdeep’s behavioural and mental consistency has remained intact. Leipus further noted that the pacer is known to be loud in the dressing room, and that element has not changed—while his overall calmness remains evident.
Phones, balance and what Leipus thinks about the modern game
While addressing the broader issue of players being glued to their screens, Leipus acknowledged that today’s cricketers are frequently on their phones—even while travelling for matches.
- Leipus said he is “old” and does not engage much with social media himself, noting that he believes he is “probably the wrong person” to ask on the topic.
- He said that when you observe teams, players can often be seen sitting on their phones on buses, implying there is limited chatter and interaction in those moments.
- He argued that this constant connectivity is a problem, especially because he has young children and is trying to steer them away from excessive use.
Keeping the benefits, reducing the distractions
At the same time, Leipus pointed out that commercial responsibilities mean phones cannot simply be removed for everyone. He said teams need to strike the right balance between staying connected and maintaining a healthy environment within squads.
He also referenced an idea from the past, saying one of the best steps the ICC ever took was taking phones away—suggesting that once players enter dressing rooms, conversation returns and the team environment becomes the focus. According to Leipus, the issue arises primarily outside those team settings.
Finally, he said he has heard rumours but does not have the time to pay close attention to them, adding that it is “potentially something that needs to be addressed.”
