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Maiden IPL Title At Stake; Major Problems To Solve For PBKS After Humiliating Loss Vs RCB

Debashis Sarangi

Shreyas Iyer should address several problems before qualifier 2 [Source: AP]Shreyas Iyer should address several problems before qualifier 2 [Source: AP]

Led by Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings (PBKS) incurred a disastrous defeat in qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) humbling them by eight wickets. Batting first, PBKS could post only 101 runs on the board, as RCB chased the paltry target without breaking a sweat. 

After the crushing defeat against RCB, their upcoming matches are do-or-die affairs for Punjab Kings. Thus, as they gear up for Qualifier 2, here are three issues they must resolve before the game. 

1. Shreyas Iyer Needs To Be More Responsible

  • Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer registered a failure in qualifier 1, with Josh Hazlewood getting his prized scalp for two runs. 
  • If we remove his 97*-run knock against GT, Iyer has managed only 41 runs across four outings at an average of 13.66 versus the teams that have qualified for the playoffs this season. He has been particularly miserable against RCB, registering three consecutive single-digit scores. 
  • Thus, the PBKS skipper needs to understand his role in the team. With Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya playing as the accelerators in the powerplay, Iyer must hold on to one end and ensure the Kings don't crumble in the middle overs. Whenever he has got out cheaply, the opponents have exploited Punjab's middle order with regular strikes. 
  • So, the Mumbaikar must hold the innings together and allow the stroke players like Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh and Marcus Stoinis to bat around him in the upcoming matches. 

2. Arshdeep Singh And Who?

Criterion
Arshdeep
Other pacers
Wickets1832
Average24.1139.53
Strike Rate16.723.28
Economy8.6210.18

(Arshdeep vs other PBKS first-choice pacers in IPL 2025)

  • As shown in the above table, Arshdeep Singh has been the Punjab Kings' go-to fast bowler in the IPL 2025, scalping 18 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 16.7. Meanwhile, their other frontline pacers have registered modest numbers, taking almost 40 balls for a wicket and conceding more than 10 runs an over. 
  • If we include only their available pacers apart from Arshdeep, the cumulative bowling average surges to 66.09. Thus, with the crucial qualifier 2 coming up, PBKS would want better returns from the likes of Jamieson, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Marcus Stoinis and Azmatullah Omarzai, whoever form the pace attack with Arshdeep.  

3. The Spin Conundrum In Chahal's Absence

  • Yuzvendra Chahal emerged as one of Punjab's most successful bowlers before an unfortunate injury jeopardised his IPL 2025 journey. The veteran wrist spinner bagged 14 wickets, playing a pivotal role in the Kings' success this season. 
  • However, Chahal's injury has definitely weakened Punjab's spin attack. While Harpreet Brar hasn't been as impactful, Pravin Dubey has played a solitary game this season. 
  • Thus, Punjab must find a way to address their spin woes and prepare a formidable attack for the upcoming knockout matches.