Former Indian opener and now expert turned commentator Virender Sehwag reckons that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have only themselves to blame for their current predicament after losing their fifth consecutive match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The Shreyas Iyer-led side risk slipping out of the top four now after losing by six wickets to the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Dharamsala on Thursday, May 14th.
PBKS were the undisputed table toppers at the halfway stage of the campaign, remaining unbeaten across their first seven matches. However, they have been in a downward spiral since, with the recent blows including similar defeats at their secondary home venue in the business end of the league stage. PBKS failed to defend a 201-run target against the already eliminated MI side, devoid of the likes of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.
Virender Sehwag’s Scathing Criticism of PBKS
Virender Sehwag remarked that fear has completely set in the PBKS camp, and it is evident through their tentative batting approach instead of the free-flowing and fearless style they had employed earlier.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag said, “They are not batting as freely as they did in the first half. Now there is fear in everyone’s mind that we might get out, we might lose, we might score fewer runs. Until you put aside winning and losing, and bat freely, they can see what comes. I am a little scared for them now because they might be in trouble with the qualification. They have shot themselves in the foot in these last five matches,”Â
Virender Sehwag, who was part of the franchise both as a player and coach, slammed PBKS’s death bowling efforts, questioning how they let the game slip when MI were 103/3 in 12 overs. During that phase, both Sherfane Rutherford and Tilak Varma were relatively new to the crease and were struggling to match the required rate.
Virender Sehwag added, “There were 80 runs to win off the last six overs, and maybe 51 needed off the last three. From there, how did Punjab lose the match? I did not understand that. PBKS will have to think about their bowling. Marco Jansen and Bartlett conceded over 50 runs; these are the bowlers who bowled in the death as well. There were 15 runs to defend in the final over; it should have been defended, but it did not happen. Last time it was Stoinis, now it is Bartlett, so this is now a serious concern for them. Now they are not fighting for the top two; they are fighting for qualification now,”Â
PBKS are currently placed fourth in the points table with 13 points, and face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their remaining matches.
Rohan Gavaskar reflects on the total lack of confidence that is hurting PBKS.Â
Former India cricketer and now expert Rohan Gavaskar reflected that a total loss of confidence and momentum played a huge part in PBKS letting MI back into the contest in the run chase from a strong position.
Speaking on the same platform, Cricbuzz, Rohan Gavaskar said, “PBKS had to defend 80 runs in six overs. If this had happened in the first half of the season, they would have won the match. Because back then, they had the winning habit. They knew what they had to do, and the confidence was high. The bowlers knew their roles; the intensity and energy were high on the field. But because this situation came at a time when they had lost momentum, they lost the match,”Â
PBKS’s next fixture, which will also be their final clash in Dharamsala, is an afternoon game against current table-toppers and defending champions RCB on Sunday, May 17th.
What Lies Ahead for PBKS
The road ahead for PBKS has entered troubled waters, and now the maximum they can reach is 17 points. That means they have to win both their remaining games. They have RCB on Sunday afternoon in a rematch of last season’s final, and RCB won’t give an inch after what PBKS did on social media, mocking the decorated franchise. They have bottom-placed LSG next Saturday, but if they lose to RCB, it could be curtains for them. They cannot leave it late.
LSG may be out, but they, too, will be no pushovers in a nothing-to-lose situation. PBKS will keep an eye on CSK’s fixture against LSG tonight and would be hoping that LSG beats CSK and does them a favour, which is possible considering CSK’s injury concerns. But destiny is still in PBKS’ hands. Win both, and they will definitely be in the playoffs. Lose either one of them, and it could be doom and gloom. They are just hanging by a thread now, are PBKS.
Also Read: PBKS vs MI: Shardul Thakur’s 4-Wicket Haul Keeps PBKS Down To 200/8