Arshdeep Singh accuses commentators of bias as Punjab Kings face form crisis

Key facts

• Arshdeep Singh conceded 68 runs in 4 overs against Rajasthan Royals on April 28, taking only one wicket.
• Punjab Kings lost their first match of IPL 2026 after an unbeaten start, falling to Rajasthan Royals by 4 wickets.
• Arshdeep has taken just 8 wickets in 8 matches this season at an economy rate of 10.96.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, scored 43 off 16 before being dismissed by Arshdeep.
• PBKS have conceded 200+ runs in five of seven completed innings, with an economy rate of 10.5.
• Piyush Chawla warned that Arshdeep's inconsistency could be costly in playoff games.
• Arshdeep was seen walking hand-in-hand with rumoured girlfriend Samreen Kaur in a viral video.

Bowler claims experts 'not happy' with Punjab's success

Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer for Punjab Kings and India's highest wicket-taker in T20Is, has accused cricket commentators of bias against his franchise. In an online interaction with a fan after PBKS's first defeat of IPL 2026, Singh said that some experts 'love to see us suffer' and were not happy when the team was winning. 'If you heard the commentators, they were not happy when we were claiming back-to-back wins. There are many people out there who don't want to see us in a good position,' Singh stated. Teammate Yuzvendra Chahal, present in the video, nodded in agreement.

Punjab's unbeaten run ends in front of home crowd

The defeat came on April 28 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, where Punjab Kings posted 222 for 4 in 20 overs. In reply, Rajasthan Royals lost wickets in the middle overs but recovered through Donovan Ferreira (52 not out off 26) and Shubham Dubey (31 not out off 12), who sealed the win with an over to spare. Dubey entered as an impact substitute. The loss ended PBKS's perfect start to the season and was their first at home before they move to Dharamshala for later fixtures.

Arshdeep's expensive spell raises concerns

Arshdeep Singh bowled four overs for 68 runs, conceding at an economy rate of 17.00, and took the sole wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had smashed 43 off 16 balls. This performance continued a worrying trend: in eight matches this season, Singh has taken only eight wickets at an economy rate of 10.96. His best figures are 3 for 22 against Mumbai Indians. Former India spinner Piyush Chawla, speaking on ESPN Cricinfo, said: 'One or two games, you can expect him to do badly, but this is happening most of the time. It is a cause for concern because if you look at the larger picture, such a performance in the playoff game can affect the team.'

Bowling woes plague Punjab Kings despite batting firepower

Punjab Kings have been the most prolific batting side in IPL 2026, but their bowling has been a liability. In seven completed innings, they have conceded 200 or more runs five times, and once 195. Only Mumbai Indians have a worse economy rate than PBKS's 10.5 runs per over. Arshdeep, as the team's premium bowler, has been central to these struggles. Chawla noted that while Singh bowls in both powerplay and death overs, his economy of nearly 11 per over is unsustainable for a frontline seamer.

Off-field attention as personal life enters spotlight

A viral video showing Arshdeep Singh walking hand-in-hand with rumoured girlfriend Samreen Kaur has circulated on social media during IPL 2026. Kaur, an actor and model, has been seen at stadiums supporting Punjab Kings. The sighting has intensified speculation about their relationship, adding a layer of celebrity intrigue to Singh's season. While his on-field performance has drawn criticism, his off-field moments have also become a talking point.

Upcoming fixtures and playoff implications

Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, will next face Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 3, followed by an away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team then moves to Dharamshala for their remaining home games. With the knockout phase approaching, the franchise will need its pacers to regain form. Chawla's warning underscores the stakes: a repeat of Arshdeep's recent performances could derail Punjab's campaign.

The bottom line

• Arshdeep Singh has publicly accused commentators of bias against Punjab Kings after their first loss.
• His bowling form has been poor: 8 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 10.96, including 68 runs in 4 overs vs RR.
• Piyush Chawla warned that such inconsistency could hurt PBKS in playoff games.
• PBKS have conceded 200+ runs in five of seven innings, with a team economy of 10.5, second worst in IPL.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, played a key role in RR's chase with 43 off 16.
• Arshdeep's personal life gained attention after a viral video with rumoured girlfriend Samreen Kaur.