“He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S – “He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S

“He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S

Former international batter and six-time IPL champion Ambati Rayudu has voiced growing concerns over Arshdeep Singh’s dip in performance during Punjab Kings’ ongoing IPL 2026 campaign. Highlighting both physical and mental fatigue as possible factors, Rayudu pointed to the pacer’s compromised bowling lengths and waning intensity as key reasons behind his recent struggles.

Arshdeep’s Challenging Outing Against LSG

In Punjab Kings’ crucial seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on May 23, Arshdeep Singh endured one of his most expensive spells of the season. The left-arm speedster returned figures of 0/52 in just three overs, with an alarming economy rate of 17.33. Captain Shreyas Iyer opted not to use his final over, a rare sign of eroding trust during high-pressure matches.

Beyond the runs conceded, Arshdeep’s lack of control was evident—he bowled four wides during the innings. With 28 wides already in the season, he’s fast approaching Matheesha Pathirana’s unenviable record of 32 wides from the previous edition.

Rayudu Questions Bowling Approach and Length

Ambati Rayudu didn’t mince words in his assessment, zeroing in on Arshdeep’s overreliance on short-pitched deliveries.

“He should be mindful of that because his short ball, he doesn’t have a great bouncer at the moment, maybe because of his body being tired or he doesn’t have the same juice as what he did a few months back. But he definitely has to compensate. If he has to overcompensate, he needs to be full.”

Rayudu emphasized that Arshdeep’s fuller deliveries, especially yorkers, have historically been more effective—both in the powerplay and at the death. He noted that even in the match against LSG, the only full ball that went for runs was the first delivery, driven through the covers. In contrast, short-of-length deliveries were consistently punished.

“I just think his lengths [are the problem]. He’s not someone who should be bowling a lot of short deliveries. Even in the death, he should be bowling yorkers. And even with the new ball, whenever he has bowled full, except for the first ball which was driven through the covers, I don’t think his fuller balls went for so many runs as much as the short of length deliveries or the short ball.”

Workload and Fatigue: The Bigger Picture

While Rayudu focused on tactical flaws, former South Africa wicketkeeper and coach Mark Boucher offered a more empathetic perspective. Boucher attributed Arshdeep’s dip to an overloaded schedule following the T20 World Cup and subsequent participation in the IPL.

“I think it’s just being tired [after the T20 World Cup] and this month being the IPL, and he had to play in this. That’s the reason why he’s like that. I don’t think it’s got anything to do with his skill or his talent. At some stage, it [the fatigue] has to catch up with the players. It’s just, it’s natural.”

This season, Arshdeep has bowled the most overs among PBKS bowlers, accumulating 541 runs in 14 matches—the highest by any bowler in IPL 2026. Despite this, he remains Punjab Kings’ leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps, though his economy of 10.20 remains a point of concern for the franchise.

What Lies Ahead for Arshdeep?

As the playoffs approach, Punjab Kings will rely heavily on their frontline pacer. However, his current form raises questions about sustainability and match fitness. While his skill and execution remain undeniable, managing fatigue and recalibrating his line and length will be critical in the knockout stages.

With senior voices like Rayudu and Boucher highlighting the issue, the onus is now on Arshdeep and the PBKS support staff to make strategic adjustments—before the lack of “juice” costs them more than just overs.