After dominating and staying unbeaten in their first 7 games, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) simply cannot buy a win now as they have now lost their 4th consecutive match in IPL 2026. This time, their opponent was Delhi Capitals (DC) in a thrilling North India Derby. The Capitals, for their part, kept their slim mathematical hopes for playoffs alive while the PBKS are precariously placed and will need two wins from three remaining games to qualify. PBKS were ahead for most parts, but lost the plot when given pressure. There were areas where they went wrong and we will analyse them for you here.
PBKS bowlers barring Arshdeep Singh were taken to the cleaners hurting the team’s prospects
It is far to say that Punjab Kings (PBKS) main weakness is their bowling. Yes, we can be hypocritical and say that the batters from the start they got should have got more maybe around 220-230 rather than 210. But the question is how much will the batters do to cover up for the bowling inefficiency? They can only do up to a certain limit. The bowlers have to stand up and at this stage, it looks really weak especially the pace departments. The Kings keep getting exposed and last night their all-out pace attack was exposed.
There was one man who shone through and was a cut above the rest from both sides if we look at it and that was Arshdeep Singh. He is an Indian international, experienced campaigner and knew how to deal with the conditions on offer and bowled the right lines and lengths. Arshdeep finished with 2/21 in 4 overs in a 211-run chase and generally, when one bowler has these exceptional numbers, it’s easy to defend scores of 200+. But that is the thought, reality was something different.
Barring Arshdeep, the rest of the bowlers went the distance as no spinner was used by either team last night. Impact Player Yash Thakur bowled decently well with the new ball but went for 55 runs in 4 overs for his 2 wickets. Marco Jansen was wicketless and went for 45 runs in 4 overs. Ben Dwarshuis on IPL debut was unlucky with dropped catches happening off his bowling. Marcus Stoinis went for 44 in 3 overs and picked up a wicket as well. So many bowlers having an off-day in one game makes a captain’s job a nightmare. One bowler can be managed, but not 4.
PBKS will have to sort this problem out quickly as soon as possible as the bowling looks weak. Add to that, there is no back-up option that inspires confidence. So, the Kings will have to manage resources and hope the bowling comes good. Yes, the conditions were wet with dew around. But some of the bowling was not up to the mark. They are in a spot of bother now, with more questions than answers.
Inability to stop Axar Patel-David Miller partnership due to fielding lapses dented PBKS
PBKS started well with the ball removing the top three of KL Rahul, Abishek Porel, and Sahil Parakh early in the piece within the power play. DC were 33/3 inside 5 overs and 47/3 in power play compared to the 72/0 scored by PBKS in the corresponding period. So, the power play was won by Punjab. Thereafter, Tristan Stubbs struggled out there and was dropped as Punjab continued to drop catches. Arshdeep dropped him when Stubbs was on 9*.
But thankfully for PBKS, that did not prove costly as Stubbs was run out soon by Cooper Connolly for 12 runs. But then Axar Patel and David Miller joined forces and turned the game on its head. PBKS were generous on the field as Suryansh Shedge dropped Axar when he was just starting his innings on 19*. He got there with two hands but dropped it. With dew playing a part, they were sloppy on the field as far as ground fielding is concerned. The conditions were really wet.
The lines and lengths to both the batters were in the slot and both took advantage of it. Bowling was exposed and so was the fielding. Even the captain was candid enough and said that they bowled and fielded very badly. Fielding has been a major bane for the Punjab Kings. Their catching inefficiency rate is right up there. It has something to do with confidence and though they are practising, they are lacking in execution. Bowling is always an issue and these are things that needs to be worked on seriously for them to do well.
Tactical error of not bowling Yuzvendra Chahal at all exposed the mindset
Another tactical error that the team management did was despite having Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing XI, they did not utilise him with the ball. It was the first match in history of IPL that not a single over of spin was bowled as Axar did not bowl in the first innings either. The pitch conditions and all dictates these things we get that. But a bowler in the calibre of Chahal was ought to be used as he is a wicket-taker and can trouble the likes of Miller and Patel.
Instead of Chahal, the pacers were tried and apart from Arshdeep, the other bowlers looked listless, toothless, and clueless out there. All the other 4 bowlers had an off-day and that exposed them. Having Chahal would have provided the team variety and who knows he may have been able to prize out wickets against the run of play and bring his side back in the contest. But Shreyas thought otherwise, and said that he felt the conditions would suit the seamers and Chahal was not needed.
This was not the first time as in Gujarat, owing to match-ups, Chahal was given one over to bowl against GT in Ahmedabad. After that, he did not bowl and GT won a close contest. PBKS has made some bizarre tactical calls that have had everyone thinking. These errors have put PBKS in a situation where it will be must-win from here and any slip up anywhere could be detrimental for qualification. Top 2 looks unlikely now, they must aim at finishing in the playoffs team. For that, they need to get their tactics and planning right.
What Lies Ahead
So, DC keeps their slim mathematical hopes alive with this win. They will next take on RR in New Delhi on Sunday night while PBKS hosts MI on Thursday night and RCB on Sunday afternoon in back-to-back games in Dharamsala. Tonight, it’s an important clash as GT hosts SRH in Ahmedabad. Both teams have 7 wins in 11 games with SRH in 2nd place owing to better NRR. The winner will go to the top of the points table with 16 points while the loser will stay at 14 points with 2 games to spare in 3rd place.
It’s all to play for as the race to the playoffs heats up. We are into the last 2 weeks of the league stage of IPL 2026.
Also Read:Â PBKS vs DC: Axar Patel & David Miller Snatched Victory From DC