Arshdeep Singh’s Poor Form a ‘Matter of Concern’: Piyush Chawla Warns PBKS
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Alarm Bells Ring for Arshdeep Singh After PBKS Struggle Against RR
In the high-octane environment of the Indian Premier League, consistency is the hallmark of a premium fast bowler. However, for Punjab Kings (PBKS) star pacer Arshdeep Singh, the ongoing 2026 season has become a challenging test of nerves and execution. Following a significant defeat against the Rajasthan Royals (RR), former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has openly expressed his concerns regarding Singh’s current form, labeling it a “matter of concern” for the franchise.
The concerns reached a boiling point on Tuesday, April 28, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. Despite the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings posting a mammoth total of 222 runs, they were unable to defend it against a clinical Rajasthan Royals side led by Riyan Parag. While the batting unit did its job, the bowling attack—specifically Arshdeep Singh—struggled to contain the onslaught. Singh finished the match with figures that would haunt any bowler: 68 runs conceded in just four overs, picking up only a solitary wicket.
Piyush Chawla’s Warning: The Playoff Peril
Speaking with ESPNcricinfo, Piyush Chawla did not mince his words regarding the danger of relying on an out-of-form strike bowler. While a bad game is expected in T20 cricket, Chawla pointed out that the frequency of these expensive spells is the real issue.
“A game or two games here and there, you can expect [him to do badly], but it’s happening most of the time. Then it is a matter of concern, because if you look at the bigger picture – when you’re going into the playoffs – then you have to think about it,” Chawla remarked. He further emphasized the psychological and tactical pressure of the knockout stages, adding, “What if something like this happened in a playoff game? Then you’re playing a catch-up game. It’s not that you’re sitting comfortably.”
Analyzing the Statistical Slump
The numbers paint a worrying picture for the PBKS pace spearhead. Throughout the current IPL season, Arshdeep Singh has played eight matches, claiming eight wickets. While the wicket tally is modest, his efficiency has plummeted. He currently maintains an average of 41.12 and a staggering economy rate of 10.96.
Chawla noted that Arshdeep’s success is traditionally tied to his ability to strike early with the new ball. When he finds that early rhythm, his entire spell usually transforms into something dominant. The outlier this season was his exceptional performance against the Mumbai Indians (MI), where he claimed 3 for 22. However, outside of that specific encounter, he has struggled to impose himself on the opposition.
While analysts acknowledge that Arshdeep is tasked with the most difficult phases of the game—the powerplay and the death overs—Chawla insists that as a “premium bowler,” he must deliver more stability. Bowling at nearly 11 runs per over leaves very little room for error for the captain and the fielding side.
Former Indian opening batter Abhinav Mukund echoed Chawla’s sentiments, though he focused more on the technical execution. Mukund highlighted that Arshdeep is renowned for his ability to nail defensive yorkers under pressure, a skill that has historically made him a death-overs specialist.
“A concern. Because Arshdeep Singh, no matter how many runs he leaks, he comes back in the death, nails the yorkers. We’ve always known Arshdeep to be a very, very good yorker bowler,” Mukund explained. However, he noted that against Rajasthan Royals, that trademark execution was missing, and the plans failed to materialize effectively on the field.
Looking Ahead: Can PBKS Maintain Their Lead?
Despite the loss to Rajasthan Royals by six wickets, the Punjab Kings remain in a strong position, currently topping the Indian Premier League table with 13 points from eight matches. The team’s overall dominance has provided a safety net, but the bowling vulnerabilities highlighted by Chawla and Mukund could prove fatal in the playoffs.
Captain Shreyas Iyer will be keen to see his lead pacer regain his confidence before their next outing. PBKS are scheduled to face the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 3. For Arshdeep Singh, the upcoming fixture is more than just a game; it is an opportunity to silence the critics and prove that he can still be the match-winner Punjab Kings need for the business end of the tournament.
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