Punjab Kings started off the IPL 2026 season with six consecutive wins and looked favourites to qualify to the playoffs, but they had a slip and have now suffered five straight losses, the latest was against Mumbai Indians in Dharamsala on Thursday.
With 13 points from 12 matches, PBKS are now in a must-win situation where they need to win their remaining two league games to stay in the playoff race. Former India spinner Piyush Chawla said lack of form of PBKS’ overseas fast bowlers has hurt the franchise.
In Punjab’s last match against Mumbai, Marco Jansen returned figures of 1 for 55 while Xavier Bartlett conceded 55 runs without taking a wicket.
“Punjab Kings are now under tremendous pressure because they’ve reached a stage where they must win their remaining games to stay alive in the tournament, Chawla said.
“Considering the kind of start they had to the season, very few would have expected them to be in this position. The bowling has become a major concern, especially with their overseas fast bowlers struggling for form and consistency,” he added.
Chawla said Jansen has not been at his best this season, while Bartlett has found it tough after his first spell with the new ball. He added that defending big scores becomes difficult when the overseas fast bowlers leak runs in the middle and death overs.
“Marco Jansen hasn’t looked at his best, while Xavier Bartlett has found it difficult once the new-ball spell is over. When your premier overseas pacers concede heavily across their combined spells, it becomes extremely difficult to control a 200-plus chase,” Chawla added.
Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher also said Punjab stop thinking about the playoff scenario and look to play fearless cricket in the remaining two league matches.
“Punjab Kings have found themselves in a difficult position after a series of close defeats, especially considering the strong start they had to the season. Sometimes, constantly thinking about the top four and qualification scenarios can add extra pressure, and perhaps stepping away from that mindset could actually help them. If they approach the remaining games with a more fearless attitude and feel like they have nothing to lose, it might free them up mentally,” Boucher said.
“The IPL is a tournament where momentum can shift very quickly, just as teams can build winning streaks, losing streaks can also take hold through small moments and missed opportunities. Punjab Kings now need to reset mentally and focus purely on playing their best cricket in the matches ahead,” he added.
