Former India batter S. Badrinath believes Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh’s struggles in IPL 2026 are not primarily about fatigue. The left-arm quick has endured a tough run, collecting 13 wickets across 11 matches, and Punjab’s campaign has also taken a sharp turn in the latter stages.
Badrinath backs “no excuses” over fatigue talk
Speaking on Star Sports, Badrinath pushed back against the idea that tiredness is the main explanation for a player’s dip in performance. He argued that an athlete should decide whether to play based on readiness, and if he does take the field, he must deliver at full intensity.
“His form is extremely important for PBKS’ chances. I don’t buy into the fatigue theory,” Badrinath said. “If you’re fatigued, then don’t play. As a professional, once you come out to the field, you must give 100%. That’s what the highest level of sport demands. Take rest if you’re fatigued. This applies to anyone in cricket, not only Arshdeep.”
Badrinath also described Arshdeep’s style as heavily dependent on rhythm and ball movement. In his view, when the ball swings or seams, the pacer becomes a different proposition.
“Arshdeep has been hot and cold this season. He’s mainly a rhythm bowler, but he has the skill to move the ball both ways. When the ball moves, Arshdeep looks completely different,” Badrinath added. “And this is a golden chance for Arshdeep and PBKS against a Mumbai Indians side that’s heading downhill. Also, Arshdeep has bowled well against them.”
Punjab Kings’ playoff fight turns precarious
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, face a difficult task as they prepare to take on an already eliminated Mumbai Indians on Thursday. The match comes with pressure on the franchise to address visible gaps in both bowling and fielding if they are to arrest their slide.
After dominating the early part of the tournament, Punjab Kings have now lost four straight matches. That run has left them in a precarious position in the race for the playoffs, and they are likely to need victories in at least two of their remaining fixtures to put themselves in the top four.
Badrinath’s comments land at a moment when Punjab’s fortunes have shifted quickly—something the IPL often produces as momentum can flip rapidly. Earlier in the season, Punjab were the only side to remain unbeaten, but the realities of the format have since caught up with them.
- Punjab Kings began the IPL campaign strongly and were the tournament’s only unbeaten team at one stage.
- They then suffered a run of four consecutive defeats, pushing them toward a do-or-die phase.
- With their playoff qualification now under threat, they need at least two wins from their remaining matches to reach the top four.
- After a loss to Delhi Capitals, captain Shreyas Iyer pointed to the team’s own shortcomings for landing in a tough spot.
- In the first half of the season, Punjab’s batting form helped cover weaknesses in their bowling unit.
- More recently, even when Punjab have posted above-par totals—by Iyer’s own admission—it has not been enough against Delhi Capitals.
- Iyer and the team had control of the match on a seaming surface, but the pace bowlers failed to hit the right lengths in the final five overs.
- Arshdeep’s pace attack has also come under scrutiny, with Badrinath noting that it currently has the worst economy rate among the 10 teams.
Arshdeep, who played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 title-winning campaign—appearing in nine of India’s 10 matches—now enters this phase with expectations on his shoulders once again as Punjab Kings aim to find their rhythm against Mumbai Indians.
