Former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla has expressed his concern over Punjab Kings (PBKS) fast bowler Arshdeep Singh and his poor form in the ongoing IPL season. Chawla warned that Singh constantly conceding runs at an alarming rate could seriously haunt the Punjab Kings during the IPL 2026 playoff matches.

Punjab Kings suffered their first defeat in IPL 2026. The Shreyas Iyer-led team could not defend a target of 222 runs against Riyan Parag-led Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, April 28. Arshdeep Singh conceded 68 runs in four overs and took one wicket.

It is a cause for concern Piyush Chawla In Arshdeep SinghThe bad form

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Piyush Chawla stated that relying on an out-of-form Singh creates huge vulnerabilities when the franchise enters high-pressure playoff situations against strong batting line-ups.

“A match or two matches here and there, you can wait [him to do badly]but it happens most of the time. So it is a matter of concern because if you look at the bigger picture, when you get to the playoffs, then you have to think about it,” Chawla told ESPNCricinfo.

“What if something like this happened in a playoff game? Then you’re playing a make-up game. It’s not like you’re sitting comfortably,” he added.

Arshdeep Singh is someone known for picking up wickets – Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla said Singh’s success depends on first wickets with the new ball. Chawla stated that such returns, despite difficult phases of bowling, including the powerplay and the death, are worrying for a premium bowler.

“He is someone who is known to pick up wickets with the new ball, and that hasn’t been happening. In the game (where he) picks up wickets with the new ball, he ends up bowling a wonderful spell.”

“That’s what happened against MI (3 for 22). But this season, he is going at almost 11 runs per over. And I understand that he bowls those tough overs in the powerplay and then at the death, but still he remains your premium bowler,” he added.

In the current Indian Premier League, Arshdeep Singh has taken eight wickets in eight matches at an average of 41.12 and an economy rate of 10.96. Apart from his three-wicket spell against Mumbai Indians (MI), he has struggled against opposition batsmen.

I don’t care if he goes for those widths – Abhinav Mukund

Former Indian opening batsman Abhinav Mukund agreed with Piyush Chawla regarding Arshdeep Singh’s struggles. Mukund stated that Arshdeep Singh failed to execute proper plans against Rajasthan Royals, despite his proven ability to trap defensive yorkers at crucial deaths.

“A concern. Because Arshdeep Singh, no matter how many runs he loses, comes back at the death, hits yorkers. We have always known that Arshdeep is a very, very good yorker bowler. I don’t mind him going for those wide lines, because he aims for those wide lines,” explained Abhinav Mukund.

Punjab Kings lost to Rajasthan Royals by six wickets but still top the Indian Premier League table. They have 13 points in eight games. Captain Shreyas Iyer will lead them against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 3.

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