Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 season has hit a rough patch right when it matters most. After spending a large part of the early stretch looking comfortable among the top sides, they have now lost four matches in a row, and the shift in momentum has been dramatic. The playoff picture, once appearing relatively straightforward, has turned crowded and unforgiving, leaving Punjab heading into the final phase with far less margin for error than they would have hoped.
There is a growing belief that Punjab may have peaked too soon. The same intensity and control that powered their strong start has noticeably been missing in recent games. Instead of tightening matches at crucial moments, they have struggled to maintain discipline and sharp execution, and that slump has arrived at the worst possible time. Monday night’s defeat against Delhi Capitals only underlined how quickly the narrative has changed, acting as a clear warning sign for the franchise as the league stage reaches its decisive stretch. With the points race tightening, Punjab can’t afford more slip-ups now; they are likely to need victories in at least two of their remaining three matches to keep their playoff chances firmly in play.
As the results have turned, even some of skipper Shreyas Iyer’s tactical choices have begun drawing more attention. That scrutiny is understandable given how much credit he received earlier in the tournament when Punjab were dismantling opponents and setting the tone with regularity. The latest talking point came after Punjab failed to defend a 211-run target against Delhi. One major element of the debate has been Iyer’s decision not to bring Yuzvendra Chahal into the attack. Questions were raised about whether there was a deliberate plan to include the ace spinner in the middle overs, particularly at a stage when wickets could have tilted the contest. Iyer’s response suggested there had been a thought of using Chahal, but execution and conditions did not align: “There was absolutely a thought in my mind, but the way ball was seaming and the way it was helping seamers, I think if we would have executed our line and length precisely, we could have been able to extract wickets, but unfortunately again, we didn’t.”
Delhi Capitals, meanwhile, remain very much alive in the playoff race after a thrilling three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring game at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday. In pursuit of a challenging target, the chase was driven by aggressive half-centuries from captain Axar Patel and David Miller. Their intent set the tempo early, and the pair kept accelerating when Punjab needed breakthroughs most. Delhi ultimately crossed the line with an over to spare, a finish that not only preserved their own playoff momentum but also piled additional pressure on Punjab as they fight for position.
Punjab’s bowling unit found it difficult to manage the run flow under pressure, and the problem was broader than any single over. Aside from Arshdeep Singh, the seamers were unable to consistently rein in the batters on a surface that appeared to offer plenty for strokeplay. Arshdeep did provide a standout moment with figures of 2/21, but the rest of the attack conceded freely, with the economy rate climbing above 10 an over and allowing Delhi’s batters to dictate terms through the chase. In the aftermath, Punjab’s choice to leave Chahal out of the mix emerged again as a key point of discussion, adding another layer to an already tough night for the team.
