Former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla believes Punjab Kings’ pack leader Arshdeep Singh’s form is a cause of concern for the franchise amid the ongoing IPL 2026. Singh returned with expensive figures of 1-68 in his quota of four overs when Punjab Kings suffered a six-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals at New Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Singh has scalped eight wickets in as many matches at an average of 41.12 and an economy rate of 10.96 in the ongoing season, and thus, he has been taken to the cleaners by the opposition batters.

Piyush Chawla said on ESPN Cricinfo, “He’s somebody who’s known to pick up wickets with the new ball, and that’s not been happening. The game [where] he picks up wickets with the new ball, he ends up bowling a wonderful spell. That’s what happened against MI. But this season, he’s going at almost 11 runs per over. And I understand that he bowls those difficult overs in the powerplay and then at the death, but still he’s your still premium bowler.

“A game or two games here and there, you can expect [him to do badly], but it’s happening most of the time. Then it is a matter of concern, because if you look at the bigger picture – when you’re going into the playoffs – then you have to think about it,” Chawla added.

On the other hand, former Indian batter Abhinav Mukund reckons Singh could not get his planning right against Rajasthan Royals’ batters.

“A concern. Because Arshdeep Singh, no matter how many runs he leaks, he comes back in the death, nails the yorkers. We’ve always known Arshdeep to be a very, very good yorker bowler. I don’t mind him going for those wide, because he aims for those wide lines. [But] today I felt that planning was amiss.”

Punjab Kings will next take on Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday.