Former India batter S. Badrinath believes Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh\u2019s 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\u2019s campaign has also taken a sharp turn in the latter stages.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Star Sports, Badrinath pushed back against the idea that tiredness is the main explanation for a player\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis form is extremely important for PBKS\u2019 chances. I don\u2019t buy into the fatigue theory,\u201d Badrinath said. \u201cIf you\u2019re fatigued, then don\u2019t play. As a professional, once you come out to the field, you must give 100%. That\u2019s what the highest level of sport demands. Take rest if you\u2019re fatigued. This applies to anyone in cricket, not only Arshdeep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Badrinath also described Arshdeep\u2019s style as heavily dependent on rhythm and ball movement. In his view, when the ball swings or seams, the pacer becomes a different proposition.<\/p>\n
\u201cArshdeep has been hot and cold this season. He\u2019s mainly a rhythm bowler, but he has the skill to move the ball both ways. When the ball moves, Arshdeep looks completely different,\u201d Badrinath added. \u201cAnd this is a golden chance for Arshdeep and PBKS against a Mumbai Indians side that\u2019s heading downhill. Also, Arshdeep has bowled well against them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Badrinath\u2019s comments land at a moment when Punjab\u2019s fortunes have shifted quickly\u2014something 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.<\/p>\n
Arshdeep, who played a key role in India\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026 title-winning campaign\u2014appearing in nine of India\u2019s 10 matches\u2014now enters this phase with expectations on his shoulders once again as Punjab Kings aim to find their rhythm against Mumbai Indians.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former India batter S. Badrinath believes Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh\u2019s struggles in IPL 2026 are not primarily about fatigue. The left-arm quick has endured…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Badrinath Backs Arshdeep \u201cNo Excuses\u201d vs MI","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2026: S. Badrinath fires back at fatigue excuses, backing Arshdeep Singh\u2019s form as PBKS gear up to face MI in a crucial clash.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n